Michelle Summy, RN, intensive care unit, became Blessing Hospital’s 107th DAISY award winner during a ceremony on April 17, 2025, for her extraordinary nursing care. She has been an ICU nurse for 37 years and received two nominations leading to her award.
The first nomination came from the wife of a patient for whom Michelle provided care. The nomination read, in part: “Michelle treated us like family, seeing that we had blankets, water, etc. She called in to our daughter to check on how he was doing on her day off and even drove from her home in Camp Point to bring us some treats she made for us to snack on. Who would expect that? Michelle also helped answer questions we had about the doctor’s visit. She contacted us after my husband was moved to skilled care and after his death.”
The second nomination came from the family of a patient. It read, in part: “My dad was unresponsive and my mom was devastated at the thought of losing her husband of 66.5 years. Michelle’s compassion and care went far beyond what was expected of her. She didn’t just care for us professionally—she took the time to learn about their story, listening deeply to my mom as she shared their life together.
Michelle’s kindness wasn’t just in her actions but in her words, hugs, and how she wrapped her arms around us and held our hands. She was a true source of comfort during a heartbreaking time.
The moment that truly blew me away was when Michelle showed up at the hospital on her day off, bringing homemade snacks and sitting with us for hours, offering support and walking my mom through the unimaginable decision to remove my dad from the ventilator.
Even after we moved to hospice care, Michelle didn’t disappear—she reached out to check on us through Facebook Messenger.
Michelle is an incredibly special person. I honestly don’t think we could have made it through this experience without her. She was a true blessing from God, sent to guide us through the darkest of times. Though our situation was heartbreaking, we are forever grateful for the privilege of meeting Michelle, and she will always be in our hearts.”