Mariah Rice, RN, Women and Children Unit, became the 80th Blessing Hospital nurse to receive the international DAISY Award during a ceremony on January 23, 2023.
Mariah was nominated by the mother of a patient for whom she cared.
“Every single day she was not only there for my son, but also me as a mother. I was stressed out. I missed my three older children and husband at home, and I wanted my sweet baby boy to get over bilateral pneumonia/influenza. Mariah always checked on me. She knew my mental state was wavering and I was struggling with not being able to "make things better," as all mothers want to do for their kiddos. She sympathized with me and encouraged me to take a walk for coffee to clear my mind so I could be in the right headspace for my baby. She always made me feel heard, and encouraged me to always advocate for my child; specifically stating, “I'm just his nurse. You're his Mama. You know him the best."
“But Mariah was not ‘just his nurse.’” She made simple things like taking vitals so fun and turned it into a game. She would listen to his lungs, then she let him "listen" to her lungs. Mariah would do the things she needed to do as a nurse, but my son didn't even know. He thought she was playing with him. Mariah is an asset to the pediatric floor and any patient she sees. She is an incredible person and we will forever be grateful for her diligence and care in helping get our boy back home and healthy.”
DAISY stands for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System.” The family of a 33-year-old man, who died of an immune system disorder, began the program in 1999 to honor his memory by recognizing extraordinary nurses everywhere who make a difference in the lives of people by the work they do every day. More than 4,800 healthcare providers worldwide participate in the DAISY Award program.
DAISY award nomination forms are located on all nursing units throughout Blessing Hospital and on the internet at blessinghealth.org/recognize.
