FHN is proud of our DAISY & BEE Award winners!
Every day, every person at FHN strives to provide exceptional, compassionate care to our patients and their loved ones. Now, there's a simple way, as part of an international program, to acknowledge and appreciate a nurse or other caregiver at FHN who makes a difference.
The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award is an international recognition program for hospitals that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day.
The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after he died from complications of the auto-immune disease ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) in 1999. During his hospitalization, his family deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Patrick and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled to say "thank you" to nurses in a very public way: The DAISY Award.
In addition, the BEE (Being Exceptional Everyday) Award honors patient care (non-nurse) staff who assist a nurse or a patient and his or her family in delivering excellent patient care.
Patients or their loved ones are encouraged to share their story with an online nomination. Every few months, a multidisciplinary selection committee of FHN selects the DAISY and BEE Award honorees from those nominations.
DAISY honorees are recognized at a public ceremony in their unit at FHN and receive a certificate, an award pin, and a hand-carved stone sculpture entitled A Healer's Touch. Everyone in the unit celebrates with cinnamon rolls – a favorite of Patrick's during his illness.
BEE honorees are recognized publically on their unit, receive a certificate, and award pin and the unit celebrates with honey-themed treats.
The DAISY and BEE awards are sponsored at FHN by a private FHN Foundation donor and coordinated by the Nursing Care Council.
Meet our recent DAISY & BEE Award winners!
September 2023
Pictured (top): Bee winner Lois Stultz, baby Scarlett with mom Ashlyn Williams, and Daisy winner Melissa Larson.
DAISY
Melissa Larson, RN
FHN’s September DAISY award winner is Ob Nurse Melissa Larson, who helped her nominator and family through a sometimes-difficult birthing experience. “She took every concern I had seriously and really made sure she was there for me. After I received some pain medication, my labor took a turn and my baby lost fetal heart tones. Melissa came in with a team of people and worked very hard to make sure that my baby was ok. She stayed calm and helped me through that very scary moment. After that, she never left my side. I truly can’t thank Melissa enough for helping us every step of the way! Thank you so much, Melissa! My family and I are truly grateful for you!”
BEE
Lois Stultz, Care Support
Congratulations to FHN’s September BEE Award recipient, Lois Stultz, who provided excellent care to a mom in labor. Her nominator said: “Lois answered my call light very promptly and came to see if we needed anything multiple times. She offered us water every time and was so genuine. She made all of the papers we had to fill out so easy and was helpful. She never made us feel like a bother, and we can’t thank her enough for everything she did for us!”
June 2023
Alissa Bruning, RN - OB
DAISY
Alissa Bruning, RN
Congratulations to FHN's latest DAISY Award winner, OB Nurse Alissa Bruning! She was nominated by a first-time mom who appreciated her excellent care: "She (and) the team of nurses who helped me deliver, were excellent. I have no complaints at all. She was my nurse again Friday night, and she took our little one to the nursery so we could sleep. It was glorious! So, thank you, Allissa, for going above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of, as well as my husband and our sweet little boy. Thank you again for being excellent!
Pictured (l-r, top): FHN Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Nursing Officer Kathryn Martinez; Director of Rehabilitation Services Jessica L. Currier; and Clinical Operations Leader - Rehabilitation Services, Jennifer Thompson, along with Kim and Desiree Craig.
BEE
Kim Price, Physical Therapist
Congratulations to FHN Physical Therapist Kim Price, the recipient of FHN's August BEE Award! Her nominator, who lives with cerebral palsy, has worked with many physical therapists, but none like Kim: "She embodies professionalism, integrity and just the right balance of empathy and a determination that pushes you to have confidence in your ability to meet and exceed your expectations. She takes the time to inquire and understand what is going on in my life that may be impacting how my body is performing. This is especially important to me, because I transitioned from 7 years in a nursing home to independent living at my home. The industry needs more like her, and her efforts deserve recognition!"
February 2023
Pictured with Juana are Perinatal Educator Keri Schubert and FHN Women's Health Director Linn Carter. FHN Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Nursing Officer Kathryn Martinez presented the award to Juana.
DAISY
Juana Penaloza, RN
Congratulations to FHN's February DAISY Award winner, Juana Penaloza, RN! "Juana has a shining personality," writes her nominator. "Her compassion and passion are radiant! Every time she entered the room, she was kind, patient, informative, and caring. She went above and beyond for my mother to ensure she was safe and comfortable. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
Pictured with Lilly are (left) Ambulatory Care Team Leader Brandy Quinn, RN and Med/Surg/Peds Nursing Operations Leader Michelle Kelly. FHN Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Nursing Officer Kathryn Martinez presented the award to Lilly.
BEE
Lilly Curtiss, CNA
FHN's BEE Award committee couldn't choose a winner between two great stories, but our winner made it very easy - they were both about her! Congratulations, Lilly Curtiss, CNA on the FHN Memorial Hospital Med/Surg service, for making a difference for two families! "Lilly, my CNA, is such a beautiful, calming soul. Thorough and talented, with so much empathy and compassion. She was my dad’s CNA years ago, and is now mine. She is truly good."
"I am truly blessed by the excellent care she provided me. I am so thankful for her compassion and empathy ... Lilly, thank you for taking the time to listen to me. You truly have a servant’s heart."
