October 2024 DAISY Awards
From left to right: Liberty O’Neal, RN; Bailey Spicer, RN (2022 honoree); NVRH Director of Nursing Operations Kelly Bormann, RN; interim Chief Nursing Officer Joe Pimentel; Annie Scherber, LNA (2023 nominee); Fran Davidson, RN (2023 nominee); Deborah Keon, RN (DAISY honoree); Ashley Hipworth, RN (2023 nominee) and NVRH CEO Shawn Tester. Not pictured: Dian Roy, RN (2023 nominee).
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (October 29, 2024) – Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) celebrated DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® honoree Bailey Spicer, RN; nominees Dian Roy, RN; Fran Davidson, RN; Annie Scherber, LNA; Ashley Hipworth, RN and honoree Deborah Keon, RN on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
The DAISY Award is part of The DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide their patients and their families every day. The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 from complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this award.
NVRH nurse Liberty O’Neal, RN and NVRH Director of Nursing Operations Kelly Bormann, RN opened the ceremony with the background of The DAISY Foundation and The DAISY Award before turning it over to NVRH Interim Chief Nursing Officer Joe Pimentel, who presented each nurse with their certificates. Honorees Spicer and Keon also received Healer’s Touch sculptures, which are hand-carved from serpentine stone by artists in Zimbabwe and represent the bond between nurse and patient.
Excerpts from the DAISY Award nomination include:
Bailey Spicer, RN (Med Surg) – 2022 honoree
“I had Bailey as my nurse while I was inpatient on Med Surg battling radiation pneumonitis… Bailey was kind, smart, hardworking, committed, and there for me as a patient and as a human being. There was a moment when I broke down: I wasn’t getting better and I was sick of my port AND my arm IV. I decided I had had enough. And as I lay there crying, Bailey got down on her knees, looked me into the eyes, and told me that I was in charge of my health. That was empowering.”
Fran Davidson, RN (ER) – 2023 nominee
“When Fran started at NVRH, I had the honor of meeting her in orientation. I knew right away that she would be a great addition to the nursing team here… It was only when I became a patient in the ER that I really got to see how great of a nurse she really is. I spent most of a while night in the ED, in some of the worse pain I’ve ever been in, and Fran did everything she could to make sure I was as comfortable as possible.”
Ashley Hipworth, RN (ER) – 2023 nominee
“I had a stroke which brought me to the ER… The whole thing is a blur. But one of the only things I remember is Ashley. She stood by my head and calmly talked me through what was happening. I couldn’t talk so I figured everyone assumed I wasn’t quite aware. It was like she knew I was awake and knew exactly what I needed to hear during the scariest day of my life!”
Dian Roy, RN (OR) – 2023 nominee
2023 DAISY nominee Dian Roy, RN; Leah Rexford, RN; Kelly Bormann, RN and Jen Duby, Unit Coordinator.
Annie Scherber, LNA – 2023 nominee
“What a fine professional, helpful person Annie is. She the PT person for me, was always pleasant and friendly while doing her professional tasks.”
Deb Keon, RN (ICU) – 2023 honoree
Debbie was very personable and provided descriptive explanations of what was happening throughout my care at your facility… Also when my family visited, she made them feel at home by providing information on my care and seeing if there was anything they needed. I would also like to recognize the rest of the nursing staff for their hard work and dedication through my stay at your facility.”
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at NVRH. DAISY nomination forms and collection boxes can be found in units throughout the hospital and at all of our medical practices. Electronic nominations can also be completed by visiting www.daisyfoundation.org/NVRH.