Tammy Ruths, RN, Centralized Staffing and COVID-19 Hotline, became the 55th Blessing Hospital nurse to receive the international DAISY Award. She received the award during a ceremony on October 28, 2020.

Through the DAISY award program, patients or their family members, visitors, doctors, hospital staff members or volunteers may recognize the extraordinary care provided by nurses.

Tammy was nominated by coworkers. The nomination read, in part:

“Tammy received a call at 7:32 pm from a very emotional caller who explained that her mother was in a nursing home and was not doing well. Someone in her household had a pending a COVID test, so she was not allowed to see her mother, who was not likely going to make it much longer.

Tammy reached out to the Blessing Hospital testing site and Dr. Joseph Lane to see if a Biofire test could be completed for the quickest possible results. Tammy was informed that verification from the nursing home staff was needed for the mother’s condition to be deemed as critical, as stated by the caller. Tammy obtained permission from the caller to speak to nursing home staff and the nursing home LPN confirmed that the resident was in very critical condition and declining. The priest was performing last rites as Tammy spoke to the LPN and 2 of the siblings were already there alongside the mother.

The nomination concluded, “Tammy was able to help this patient get approved for the needed test. She called the very tearful and very grateful woman at 7:47 pm (15 minutes after taking the initial call) and informed her to head to the testing site for her rapid test.”

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 4,000 healthcare providers worldwide participate in the DAISY Award program.

DAISY award nomination forms are located on all nursing units throughout Blessing Hospital and other locations on the 11th Street campus.