Emily Hill, RN, Illini Rural Health Clinic, became the latest Illini nurse to receive the international DAISY award for her extraordinary nursing care. Nurses can be nominated for the award by patients or their family members, providers, or other coworkers.
Hill received four nominations from her patients. They read, in part:
- “Emily has been my mother's nurse for several years. She is always kind and very patient. She listens carefully and explains things so mother can understand. Mom has commented many times how she's called Emily with a question or for help and she always responds in a timely manner. Mother is 98 and Emily works very well with her.”
- “I'm glad she's my nurse. I know she wants me to be as healthy as I try to be.”
- “Emily laughs at my bad jokes, is never judgmental, always makes my visits comfortable, and is very knowledgeable. Exceptional care, extraordinarily compassionate and a joy to visit with or be around.”
- “Emily is a caring nurse who seems to enjoy her work of helping people, not just coming to work for financial reasons. She speaks in terms we non-medical people can understand. I appreciate her dedication to nursing.”
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 5,400 healthcare providers and nursing education programs worldwide participate in the DAISY Award program, including Blessing Health/Illini Community Hospital.
DAISY award nomination forms are at Illini Rural Health Clinic and the hospital, or on the internet at blessinghealth.org/recognize.