Extraordinary Nurse Recognized at Lima Memorial

posted on: 12/5/2016 12:46:11 PM

The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses was awarded to one unsuspecting nurse at Lima Memorial Health System on Monday, December 5 during a surprise presentation. Brittany Abouaf, Registered Nurse with the Intensive Care Unit, is the latest recipient. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. Brittany was nominated by a patient’s family. 

An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, the DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes.  Patrick died at the age of 33 in 1999 from complications of  Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease.  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 their families. 

The presentation was held with the nurse’s colleagues, associates and the patient’s family who nominated her. Brittany received a certificate commending her for being 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."  Brittany was also presented with a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, which has been hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. Another tradition established in the memory of J. Patrick Barnes includes providing the honoree with Cinnabon® cinnamon rolls. One day while Pat was in the hospital, he asked his family to bring him a Cinnabon® cinnamon roll plus enough for all the nurses in his unit. With the help of Cinnabon’s parent company, FOCUS Brands, The DAISY Foundation carries on this tradition by serving Cinnabons to all the nurses in the Award recipient’s unit in thanks for everything they do for their patients and families.

Ann Pohl, Chief Nursing Officer, said, “We are proud to be among the hospitals participating in the DAISY Award program.  Nurses are heroes every day.  It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.”