DAISY Award winner Kathy Raby, RN (center) poses with fellow Sparrow Ionia Hospital Nurses (from left) Sheril Billings, BSN, Lisa Sinko, BSN, Amanda Martin, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Linda Reetz, RN, BSN, MBA, NE-C, Terri Rowley, RN, and Lisa Harris, MSN.
Published: June 30, 2016
Sparrow Ionia Hospital has honored Kathy Raby, RN, with its first DAISY Award for extraordinary Nurses in recognition of her commitment and Patient-centered approach to care.
The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care given by Nurses every day.
Raby, certified in Chemo/Biotherapy in Sparrow Ionia’s Oncology and Hematology Department, was presented the award in a ceremony last week.
“Kathy takes it upon herself to self-educate, reading anything and everything she can to provide high quality, informed care to our Patients,” wrote fellow Caregiver Amanda Normington, RN. “She is a sponge with Oncologist Muhammad Hamdan, M.D. She is always asking questions as to understand how different drugs affect the disease process and Patient care.”
“Kathy goes above and beyond every day to ensure safe, consistent and effective care to her Patients,” stated Lisa Sinko, RN, Oncology Supervisor.
DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Award is a national program created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died in 1999 of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, or ITP, at aged 33. His family was overwhelmed by the skillful and amazing compassionate Nurses who cared for him, and the DAISY Foundation and Award were created as an expression of their gratitude.
Raby received a certificate, a DAISY pin, a beautiful stone sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. The sculpture depicts the embracing relationship Nurses have with their Patients.
Nurse nominees Lori Borup, Kim Dora and Cathy Emelander also were recognized and each received a DAISY pin.
Sparrow Ionia Hospital will honor two Nurses each year as DAISY Award winners. To nominate an exceptional Sparrow Ionia Hospital Nurse, complete and return a form available at the hospital.