Wyandot hospital accepting nominations for staff awards

Wyandot Memorial Hospital is accepting nominations from patients, family members and staff for The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses and the TULIP Award for other staff members deserving of recognition. Wyandot Memorial rolled out both awards this summer under the direction of Chief Nursing Officer Danielle Pagnard and Daisy and Tulip Coordinators Ashley Stombaugh and Jillian Yeater. The DAISY Award "We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program," Pagnard said. "Nurses go above and beyond every day. It's important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Award provides a way for us to do that." The award is part of The DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families. The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an auto-immune disease. "When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night," said Bonnie Barnes, a co-founder of The DAISY Foundation. "Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Wyandot Memorial are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award." The DAISY — an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System — will be awarded quarterly at WMH according to Pagnard. The award recipient will be chosen by a committee based on exceptional clinical skill and leadership with an emphasis on strong patient care, compassion and dedication to the hospital's values. Awards will be presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the honoree's coworkers, patients and visitors. Recipients will receive a certificate commending them as an Extraordinary Nurse, a pin to wear and a hand-carved sculpture created by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe called A Healer's Touch. "If you're inspired to nominate a nurse, I urge you to provide a heartfelt description of the feelings or observations of compassionate care or clinical excellence within the nomination form," suggested Stombaugh, who is the Staff Education Director. "Our goal is to make these celebrations truly meaningful and acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our nurses in the most genuine manner possible." The TULIP Award Pagnard said the TULIP Award celebrates other staff members in all departments for their Thoughtful, Unforgettable, Lasting Impact on Patient care — TULIP for short. "We know members of our team at all levels and in all areas contribute each and every day to putting patients first," she said. "The TULIP Award honors them and their vital role in providing superior compassionate healthcare to all we serve." The TULIP will be awarded in the same fashion as the DAISY, with a committee selecting the quarterly recipient. The nominees and winners will also be celebrated in much the same way. "Too often, we get bogged down with our day-to-day tasks and miss opportunities to thank each other," Pagnard said. "Having the structure in place for The DAISY and TULIP reminds us to take a moment and acknowledge a co-worker's value to our department, our hospital and our community." Patients and their families are invited to nominate Wyandot Memorial employees for The DAISY Award and TULIP award by using the links featured on the hospital's website at www.WyandotMemorial.org or on social media. There are also nomination forms and boxes at all hospital locations, and more information is available by phoning Pagnard at WMH at 419-294-4991, extension 2295.