Margene Post, RN, an administrative supervisor, has been named a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner at SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® is part of The DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen based on specific criteria to receive the DAISY Award. Post was nominated by two colleagues who wrote:
“Margene is an excellent nurse that goes above and beyond daily to help ensure the best care to the patients. Her top priorities in patient care are safety, compassionate care and being very thorough in everything she does to ensure the absolute best care. Margene is also very thoughtful when it comes to her co-workers. She is a great team leader, does a wonderful job educating and is the best when it comes to recognizing those around her going above and beyond. I feel Margene is an unsung hero of Waupun Hospital! She is very organized and is always serving others, whilst not being always recognized in return. Margene is a role model that has worked for SSM Health for a considerable amount of time and her knowledge and experience are valued.”
“Margene Post is an outstanding nurse, co-worker, and mentor. While Margene does not have just one thing that stands out, she has done many things daily. Margene is a tenured night shift administrative supervisor in Waupun. While she works at her position, she is always keeping me in the loop about any schedule changes that I need to be aware of. She is also a team player regarding helping pick up open shifts. Just today I called her with an unexpected open night shift, and she was willing to rearrange her schedule and work it. In her free time, you will either find her working on policies or giving flu shots. One of Margene’s strengths is that when asked a question or presented with a situation she thinks everything through before jumping to a decision. Margene truly is a wonderful asset to Waupun.”
During a brief ceremony, Post was recognized by leaders Alex Berg, Nicole Gill, and DeAnn Thurmer. Post received a certificate commending her as an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin, and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” according to Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, president and 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 Waupun Memorial Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
