Women & Infants Hospital recently presented Kathy Falaguerra, RN, a nurse on the Mother/Baby Unit, with the DAISY Award. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the above and beyond efforts performed by nurses every day.
In nominating Kathy, a first-time mother wrote about how Kathy was instrumental in getting timely treatment for baby whose bilirubin levels were high. She said, “She helped teach my husband and me the ‘ins and outs’ of caring for a new baby. She helped me nurse the baby endless times, and also taught my husband how to help. Her friendly smile and awesome attitude helped ease all the stress and anxiety we felt about being new parents … Thank you, Kathy, for awesome clinical judgement for our baby – and for being an extraordinary nurse taking care of my baby and me.”
Kathy has been a nurse with Women & Infants since 1980.
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
Said Bonnie Barnes, president and co-founder of the DAISY foundation, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Women & Infants Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
To nominate an extraordinary nurse who works at any Women & Infants affiliated location or the main hospital, submit an application online or in person. Fellow providers and patients may nominate a nurse for the award.