Brenda Kelly, BSN, RN
Published: May 17, 2016
When the mother of a baby born with numerous life-threatening conditions needed compassion, understanding and someone who spoke and understood Spanish, Brenda Kelly, BSN, RN, was there.
When the infant passed away, Kelly, a Nurse in Sparrow’s Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or RNICU, eloquently wrote of the family’s gratitude so other Caregivers knew how much their radical, loving care meant.
“Brenda comforted the mother who had only been in the country for a few months and who spoke very little English,” said Ellen Parrott, RN, fellow RNICU Caregiver who nominated Kelly for the DAISY Award. “I’m sure she heard not just words she could understand, but that she also felt compassion when they spoke.”
Kelly has been presented with the DAISY Award to honor her actions, going above and beyond to put the needs of her young Patients first.
DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, and the DAISY Award is a national program created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes died in 1999 of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, or ITP at 33 years old. His family was overwhelmed by the skillful and amazingly compassionate Nurses that cared for Pat, and the DAISY Foundation and Award were created as an expression of their gratitude.
The DAISY Award is a way to recognize and make visible the contribution and value of Nurses wherever nursing is practiced.
Kelly received a certificate, a DAISY pin to wear at work and beautiful serpentine stone sculpture carved by the artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. The sculpture depicts the embracing relationship Nurses have with their Patients.