Gunnison Valley Health Announces the Return of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

Gunnison Valley Health is thrilled to once again partner with The DAISY Foundation to recognize extraordinary nurses for their incredible dedication to patients and community. The award is part of The DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day.

Gunnison Valley Health CEO, Jason Amrich, said that the award is an important way for the health system and its patients to recognize the incredible work of Gunnison Valley Health’s nursing staff.

“The DAISY Award is a nationally recognized program that has tremendous history and significance to nurses across the United States,” Amrich said. “It is an opportunity for anyone receiving care at Gunnison Valley Health to acknowledge the incredible contributions made by our nurses. We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY award program.”

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.

Patients, families and colleagues may nominate nurses from any area within the health system and the award recipient is chosen by a committee at Gunnison Valley Health. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients and visitors. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or 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.

Nominations for The DAISY Award can be submitted online or using a paper form. To learn more about The DAISY Award or submit a nomination, visit www.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org/daisy.