Haley Birschbach, RN, Medical Oncology and Hematology, has been named a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner at SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic. 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. Awards are presented to one recipient on a quarterly basis at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors. Birschbach was nominated by a patient family member who wrote:
“My husband received care for pancreatic cancer for more than two years. During that time, he made relationships with many of the caregivers who were all so kind and supportive. But there was one very special RN that really touched his heart and who went above and beyond to provide him the care and support he needed. She cared about him as a patient but more than that she cared about him as a person. She knew exactly how to talk to him in a way that he understood. She used humor when it was appropriate, and she always used empathy and compassion. When it became clear that his cancer was becoming very aggressive, she talked to him very openly about his options. When he made the very painful decision to stop treatment, Haley organized a visit to our home on a Sunday afternoon in December. She along with three other RNs and Matt the pharmacist came to our home to visit with him and say goodbye. That afternoon was one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced. It truly meant the world to himl and helped to give him peace. These are all young people with families and for them to take personal time from their busy schedules is amazing. She also cared about me and the rest of our family. I would walk over to the cancer center whenever my husband was scheduled to see the doctor. One time I went and when the appointment was over it was raining outside. I didn’t have an umbrella so Haley used her lunch time and gave me a ride back to work. It is those small acts of kindness that mean so much in the midst of dealing with cancer and treatments and appointments. Since my husband has passed, she has reached out to me to see how I’m doing and if I needed anything. It is that kind of caring that makes her an ideal candidate for this award.”
During a brief ceremony, Birschbach was recognized by Missy Tate. Birschbach 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 the Fond du Lac Regional Clinic are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
