Garry Ranabargar, RN, Observation Decision Unit, Blessing Hospital, became the 43rd Blessing nurse to receive the international DAISY Award during a ceremony on September 23.

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. 

Ranabargar, a more than 20 year member of the Blessing Hospital nursing staff, received two nominations. One read, in part: 
“Garry made me laugh with stories which took my mind off the pain for a little while. He was there for me through all of it. Thank you Garry! You are a blessing that makes that name of the hospital a place that I know I will get taken care of no matter what.”

The second nomination came from the wife of a patient. It read in part:
“Garry didn’t just check on us. He also took the time to visit with us. He treated us like family. He shared stories of his daughter with us when he noticed we had our granddaughter visiting. He just isn’t any type of nurse, he was my husband’s 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 everywhere who make a difference in the lives of people by the work they do every day.  More than 1,900 healthcare providers worldwide participate in the DAISY Award program.

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