Maria Hillebrenner, RN, Blessing Hospital Surgery Center, became Blessing Hospital’s 105th DAISY award winner during a ceremony on February 19, 2025, for her extraordinary nursing care.
Maria was nominated by a patient to whom she provided care after surgery, including care for a post-operative complication:
“Maria stayed calm and swiftly took action. Once the complication was under control, I was supposed to stay a little longer for observation and Maria said she would be back to check on me every 15 minutes and she absolutely was, on the dot every time. I know because I'd count my blood pressure cuff cycles, and by the third one she was knocking on the door!
Not only did she provide me with outstanding care the day of my procedure, she even sent me an email to check in with me and made sure I was doing well when I returned to work. Maria is a shining example of what every patient hopes for in a post-operative nurse.”
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 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.
DAISY award nomination forms are located on all nursing units throughout Blessing Hospital and on the internet at blessinghealth.org/recognize.