JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The 673d Medical Group is set to implement the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses to recognize exceptional members of its staff, with the first Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson recipient to be recognized July 15.
The Daisy Award will recognize one nurse and one aerospace medical technician quarterly.
“This is an internationally recognized lifetime award, and those who have earned it and those to
follow will forever have this achievement,” said Ryan Rowe, 673d MDG Daisy Award committee member. “For those in the military health system, it could be what pushes a medical Airman to nursing school or a special duty. Similarly for the registered nurses, having this award could give them the leg up to go to any of the specialty fellowship programs.”
An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem, The DAISY Foundation was formed in November, 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. The nursing care Barnes received when hospitalized profoundly touched his family.
According to the Daisy Foundation, after the passing of their loved one, Barnes’ family brainstormed what to do in his memory. They recalled the skillful and compassionate care Barnes received from his nurses during his eight-week hospitalization. They wanted to thank nurses everywhere by establishing a recognition program. Through the Daisy Award, they honor the work nurses do for patients and families every day.
Rowe said the criteria necessary for nomination and selection at JBER will require daily demonstration of the Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do, as well as the Veterans Affairs’ “I CARE” model of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence.
Eligible nominees must also employ evidence-based care using best practices, and lead, mentor and educate using a positive, supportive approach. They must also use a team approach with other physicians, patients and family.
Today there are more than 3,000 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing in all 50 states and 17 other countries committed to honoring nurses with the Daisy Award.
“We wanted to bring a recognition program here that allowed coworkers, other staff and especially patients and their families the ability to recognize a nurse or aerospace medical technician for outstanding, compassionate patient care,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Sabrina Thomas, 673d MDG Daisy Award committee member. “Another really great thing about this
program being here at JBER is that it includes aerospace medical technicians (enlisted personnel) because with their scope of practice, they would be the equivalent of a Licensed Practical Nurse in the civilian sector.”
For more information or to nominate a nurse for extraordinary care, visit daisyfoundation.org.