UP Health System - Portage Honors Evan Hyrkas, RN, with DAISY Award

UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage) is proud to honor Evan Hyrkas, RN, with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award is given out every quarter and is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day. 

Evan was nominated by the family members of a patient who received heartfelt, compassionate end-of-life care at UPHS — Portage. The nomination read: 

“Our loved one, our dad, a 74-year-old Vietnam Veteran, was rushed to the ER for stomach pain after having a heart attack the week prior. He waited to be flown to Green Bay for surgery on his small intestine. The weather delayed him all night and into the morning. The tests showed that our dad’s body had an infection that was spreading quickly to his organs. After consulting with his doctor and family, our dad decided not to have surgery as his body was too fragile and most likely he would not make it through. Dad chose to go into a cozy bed and be kept comfortable as he went to Heaven. Evan was the nurse on duty when Dad moved from the ER to his comfy bed. He was very thorough, courteous, and friendly. My family made him smile with jokes and interesting humor. He stopped in to check on Dad often, and if pushed the button, he was there promptly. Evan asked questions and interacted authentically with our dad and all in the room. He asked how long he served in the Army in Vietnam, to which our dad quickly responded 1 year, 9 months, 8 days. Evan made an easy transition to night shift RN, and again when he was back in the morning. Overnight, our dad got weaker and less responsive. He helped make sure Dad was comfy, clean, and well taken care of. He helped us to understand what was happening as our dad’s body was changing and beginning to shut down. Evan took time to ask about our mom and we were impressed that he remembered her by name. He made sure that we were comfortable and kept reassuring us to reach out to him anytime. He was so calm, compassionate, and a gift to our family as we prepared for heartbreak. Once our dad passed away, he hugged each of us (with permission) and shared how honored he was to be able to take care of our dad. He really has a genuine and heartfelt compassion for his patients and their families. Truly a blessing to have RNs like Evan on staff, especially in these difficult situations that are ending in heartbreak. Heartfelt thanks to this RN and all who cared for our loved one.”

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

• Myra Nordstrom
• Janelle Johnson
• Donna McMullen
• Josh Larson
• Joye Battisfore
• Kendra Stipech
• Lacy Wuebben
• Karla Bastian
• Rebekka Mikkola
• Nora Pennala
• Abby Simonson
• Tiia Kitti
• Amanda Klein
• Britney Daavettila
• Jennifer Juntti

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 patients and their families.

Patients, families, and colleagues may nominate nurses. Nominations are reviewed by a committee at UP Health System – Portage, which then selects the winner. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients, friends, and family.  Each honoree receives a certificate commending them that 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.

Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, chief executive officer and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation said, “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 their super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work. The kind of work the nurses at UP Health System – Portage are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”

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, and 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 for the DAISY Award, visit our website. For more information on the DAISY Award, please visit the DAISY Foundation website.