Extraordinary Nurses Recognized at UP Health System – Marquette

Nurses at UP Health System – Marquette are being honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide to patients and families every day.

The DAISY Award recipient for this quarter is Jan Ricker, RN, a nurse who works in the Staffing Pool. Ricker has worked for UP Health System for nearly 5 years.

“I arrived at UP Health System – Marquette in a very ill condition, and when I found out my wife would not be able to be with me, my stress level was elevated. I soon found that the staff at UP Health System – Marquette went beyond any expectations I had. My nurse Jan, cared for me with comfort and compassion. She left me feeling like I had won the lottery for the hardest working, most compassionate RN. Jan was always quick to see to all of my needs. She showed the highest level of concern for my well being.” Houghton, MI Resident

UP Health System – Marquette would like to also recognize the entire team of nurses who were nominated for the DAISY award:

• Tara King, RN | Intensive Care Unit
• Mike Murvich, RN | Intensive Care Unit
• Gracie Barr, RN | Intensive Care Unit
• Erika Osier, RN | Family Birthing Center
• Kali Lee, RN | Medical – Surgical
• Kayleigh Balinski, RN | Medical – Surgical
• Nancy Junot, CA | Intensive Care Unit

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. 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. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) 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.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at UP Health System-Marquette to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the Honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors.  Each Honoree receives a certificate commending her or him as an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

Said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, 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, extraordinary, compassionate work they do. The kind of work the nurses at UP Health System – Marquette are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

 “We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program.  Nurses are heroes every day.  It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that” stated Robin Waters, RN, NEBC, Director of Nursing and Interim Chief Nursing Officer at UP Health System-Marquette.       

In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and nurses participating in medical missions.

To nominate an extraordinary nurse with a DAISY nomination, visit https://www.mgh.org/for-healthcare-professionals/daisy-award, to submit a nomination form. For more information on the DAISY award, please visit the DAISY Foundation website at http://DAISYfoundation.org