Photo caption: Laura Schroeder (left), an LPN with the SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic Podiatry department, was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses following a nomination by Gwen DeHaan (right).
Laura Schroeder, LPN, Podiatry, 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.
Schroeder was nominated by a patient who wrote:
“I would like to nominate Laura to be recognized. Recently my family went to the Podiatry clinic. Both my kids were nervous about the visit. As soon as their names were called, we were greeted with the most kind and inviting smile. We went into the exam room and within minutes Laura had both my kids laughing and joking with her. She spent time talking with us and getting to know us knowing her schedule was busy. She helped calm both my kids down and as soon as she left the room both kids had such kind words to say about her. Every visit after that she welcomed us with her wonderful smile and remembered things were shared with her. She is such a blessing to have at the clinic and so happy she was there to take care of us. Thank you Laura!”
During a brief ceremony, Schroeder was recognized by clinic leaders – Shane Smith, Missy Tate, and Erin Blank. Schroeder received a certificate commending him 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.”
More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.
