Awards, Kelsey Hospital, United Hospital

Compassionate care honored with DAISY and BEE Awards

Spectrum Health United Hospital caregivers recognized.

GREENVILLE, Mich., February 15, 2022 – Tears, hugs and flowers highlighted a Valentine’s Day DAISY and BEE Award ceremony as two Spectrum Health United Hospital caregivers were recognized for their nursing excellence and compassionate care.

Jessica Stewart, RN, who works in the intensive care unit, was honored with a DAISY Award after being nominated by a patient’s daughter.

“My mother is a beautiful woman and a stubborn lady who unfortunately lost her battle with COVID even though she was fully vaccinated,” the nomination read. “Jessica was kind enough to allow me to talk to my mom on the phone even though she was in a medicated coma. Jessica was sweet enough to listen with me and cry with me on the phone. She said she was treating my mom as if she was treating her own. When it was time to meet with the doctor and see my mom, Jessica was right there with my dad and I and hugged us. The comfort and care she showed me, and my family are beyond her duties as a nurse.”

Laura Knox, inpatient rehab certified occupation therapy assistant, was given a BEE Award for supporting the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knox was nominated by inpatient nurse manager Ryan Pienta and rehabilitation services supervisor May Wesolek.

“Laura went completely above and beyond her normal role and would actively look for things to do to help the team,” her nomination read. “Eventually she basically became a member of the ICU team. She also was asked to participate in a mock code (COVID style) for the resident physicians to further their training, specifically because she had done so well in ICU.  She did beautifully with this.  She was recognized weekly by nursing staff for how helpful she was and how much she helped improve the efficiency of the ICU team.”

Stewart and Knox received flowers, commemorative pins and plaques during the ceremony.

The DAISY award program was adopted from The DAISY Award, an international program established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. The Barnes family was deeply appreciative of the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, so they created an award to say thank you to nurses everywhere.

United and Kelsey Hospitals have expanded the recognition program to include the BEE award, open to all clinical and non-clinical employees, in addition to nurses.

Nominations are open for any Spectrum Health employee who regularly goes above and beyond in creating a meaningful experience for patients. The awards are given based on nominations from patients, community members and colleagues.

Nomination forms can be found at any Spectrum Health facility or submitted online at: https://www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/UHKHDaisyAwards

 

 About Spectrum Health

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides care and coverage, comprising 31,000+ team members, 14 hospitals (including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital), a robust network of care facilities, teams of nationally recognized doctors and providers, and the nation’s third-largest provider-sponsored health plan, Priority Health, currently serving over 1 million members across the state of Michigan.

People are at the heart of everything we do. Locally governed and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we are focused on our mission: to improve health, inspire hope and save lives. Spectrum Health has a legacy of strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Through experience, innovation and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness.

 

Contact:
John Norton
Corporate Communications Manager
Office: 231.592.4387
Mobile: 231.580.1079
Email: john.norton@corewellhealth.org