Lorna O’Donovan, RN, an SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital Medical/Surgical registered nurse, has received The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes nurses who have devoted their life’s work to the compassionate care of others. Award recipients are nominated for their dedication to nursing through active mentoring, role modeling, advocating for their patients and promoting the positive image of nursing. They serve as a beacon of inspiration to those at all stages of their career and in the various and important roles of nursing. The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award gives staff a way to express their gratitude, and recognize the legacies that have sustained and shaped the heritage of nursing. Honorees are considered for The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are considered based on their distinguished career as a nurse in clinical practice, administration, education, and/or research that promote a positive image of professional nursing; professional development of self and others in the nursing profession; role model and advocate for nursing practice and the advancement of nursing as a professional; advocate for the improvement of patient care and serves as an exemplar for enhancing the patient experience; recognition by the broader nursing community as a transformational nursing leader; and more than 25 years of service. Here are some nomination comments.
Lorna is a kind and respectful person. She has a natural knack for understanding the right thing to do and she does it. She is a well-balanced individual who weighs the options to all decisions. Lorna provides excellent care and was recently recognized by a patient for the great education provided during her medication pass.
Lorna is a skilled nurse who is a team player. It is evident that she believes in hard work and putting in an effort to get the job done as a team. Lorna is well-respected by her peers. They trust her opinion and expertise. Lorna is a critical thinker and has a great understanding of diagnoses and associated plans of care.
Through her 29+ years of experience her level of knowledge and wisdom has increased and Lorna now effectively passes along this knowledge to newer nurses that she precepts. She is patient and kind and her co-workers have shared that they have a great deal of respect for Lorna. She is a supportive coworker, one example of which was that she helped encourage the celebration of a fellow co-worker’s retirement and ensured she had an appropriate send-off full of respect and well wishes.
Lorna is observant. She is factual and reliable. She is a go-to person to understand the real pulse of the department and she is actively involved in problem-solving staff issues and improving patient care, especially through support of the overall well-being of staff.
DAISY first began honoring nurses in 1999 after Bonnie and Mark Barnes’ son, Patrick, died at age 33 from an autoimmune disease. While Patrick was hospitalized, the Barnes family was overwhelmed by the care they received from nurses. After their son’s death, they launched the foundation as a meaningful way to honor the compassionate care nurses display every day. Recipients of the award receive a certificate, lapel pin and sculpture with a personalized plaque.
