BCH Celebrates Nurses Through the DAISY Awards

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after he died from complications of the auto-immune disease ITP in 1999. During his hospitalization, they deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Patrick and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled to say, “thank you” to nurses in a very public way.

The Nurse Practice Council at Boulder Community Health honors several nurses every quarter to those who consistently demonstrate excellence by upholding BCH’s mission and values, ensuring we deliver the highest quality health care to our community. BCH and the BCH Foundation are excited to honor our first quarter of 2021 DAISY Awards to the nurses below being honored for their extraordinary care practices of improving patient outcomes, enhancing patient experience, contributing to staff wellbeing and elevating the nursing profession.

If you would like to nominate a nurse for a DAISY Award, please visit the DAISY Award page.

Below are the nominations written by patients or coworkers to honor the nurses below with a DAISY Award for the first quarter of 2021:

Honoree: Laura Grady, RN, 1 North

There aren't enough words to appropriately describe how much care, support, encouragement that Laura gave me during my February visit on 1 North. It was somehow the BEST gift of my hospital stay at Foothills. She performed her tasks, with skill, privacy and with her (clear) nursing expertise. With IVs in both of my arms, she organized the lines, poles for increased comfort, while explaining the reasons for this particular IV treatment of antibiotics. This was VERY reassuring to me as I was anxious... she calmed me down, explaining any and all procedures so clearly.

Laura has a deep passion for her job. Doing it to the tee, following her directions on the screen, and relaying them to the patient. I learned so much from Laura and her incredibly skilled nursing care. I felt so FORTUNATE to be assigned to this competent and kind lady! She really made my stay so comfy and she put me at ease. I SHALL miss Laura. She is a true star, and any patient would be very fortunate in her care. My thanks to Laura Grady for helping me over a difficult hurdle. She made all the difference. - BCH patient

Honoree: Emilio Ruiz-Burkett, RN, Imaging

Emilio is an amazing nurse, a natural leader and a great co-worker. He consistently helps to build the team up and has the desire to make himself, our unit, and the hospital better. His bedside manner is exemplary and he has received many patient compliments with statements like: “Emilio is very attentive, intelligent and engaging." "Emilio is sooo great and the biopsy would not have gone as well without him!” “Emilio is such a nice guy and very sweet!”

Around the department, Emilio has set the example of what it looks like to be a great imaging nurse. He has been integral in helping to improve workflow and set new standards so that our patients receive the best possible care. He is one of our strongest leaders and has earned the respect of our entire team. Boulder, as a hospital and a community, is lucky to have such a great nurse taking care of them! - BCH Staff

Honoree: Angela Van Aestyn, RN, 3 East

I was admitted after a bad fall. No bones were broken, yet I was unable to walk or care for myself. As the pain subsided in my hip and ankle, the swelling and pain in my knee got worse. Physical Therapy was supposed to come to evaluate me the day after I was admitted yet they never showed up and the doctor was waiting on them to evaluate me before making further care decisions. I was frustrated and feeling like I wasn't being heard. My pain and swelling were increasing and it was scary.

Angela came on during the night shift and listened to me - really listened. She looked at all the options on file for managing my pain and swelling. She got me up on my feet and moving. I felt seen and heard and like someone truly cared about me and what I was going through - this alone is incredibly healing! In the morning, she relayed my situation to the nurse coming on at shift change and Angela repeated everything I'd told her just the way I'd said it. I started crying because I felt so seen.

I know how busy all the nursing staff are - and all my nurses and aides have been wonderful - yet Angela stood out and went above and beyond. She also reached out to the rest of my care team, including PT, and let them know what was going on. I was able to relax and rest because I felt someone was truly advocating for my recovery and health. I am forever grateful to Angela and my stay will be a positive memory because of her excellent care. - BCH Patient

Honoree: Samniang Short, RN, 2 West

I want to send my thanks for the excellent care BCH personnel (doctors, nurses, techs, employees who brought me meals) extended to me during my recent stay at BCH. My wife and son brought me to the BCH Emergency Room because I was bleeding profusely from my nose. I have been on warfarin for two years now and occasionally experience no-notice bleeding. This time it was a gusher that I could not stop at home. The ER personnel inserted a rhino rocket into my nose to stabilize the bleeding, and then I was transferred to the second floor. Throughout my stay, all BCH personnel were attentive and very professional.

Sam was the nurse who attended to me the two nights I stayed at the hospital. She was extremely responsive. Every time she came to the room she was meticulous, taking care of whatever brought her there. What particularly impressed me, and which I especially appreciated, was the care she gave to cleaning up the blood that oozed out of my nose and crusted in the immediate vicinity around my upper lip below my right nostril and my right cheek. Working in and around the rhino device, she gave very complete care to clean up what she could without disturbing the rocket. I admired her precise, methodical, unhurried manner. But I appreciated even more that her manner did not treat me mechanically as just another patient. I have no doubt this is what she brings to every patient she assists. Though Sam is slight in stature, she is a giant in my eyes. - BCH patient