UP Health System – Bell Honors Emergency Department Registered Nurse Alice Miljour with Inaugural DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

UP Health System – Bell is proud to honor Alice Miljour, RN, with the inaugural DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award will be a few times per year and is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day. 

Alice cares for patients in the Emergency Department (ED) at UP Health System – Bell. She has been a valued member of the Bell team for 15 years and is known for her knowledge, attention to detail and caring bedside manner. Nurses and providers in the ED, like Alice, play a critical role in providing immediate care to patients experiencing urgent or life-threatening conditions. From triaging patients to crisis management and high-stakes direct bedside care, their responsibilities are diverse and demanding, often requiring quick decision-making and multitasking. They’re known for their quick thinking and ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure, all while providing compassionate care in an unpredictable environment.

Alice received three nominations, which can be read in full below.

“Alice is such a compassionate person. She is able to keep a level head during an emergency and provide comfort and ease of mind. Her knowledge of the industry allows her to flawlessly care for anyone and to provide the comfort needed for those in the ER. I have only known Alice for two months, but she is one of the most thoughtful and caring individuals I have met. I would be comforted by the fact that she would be in charge of my care while at Bell. Alice is the BEST!”

“Alice was the absolute best nurse possible for my girlfriend at the moment of her emergency. Alice was faced with hearing about my girlfriend’s past over seven years ago. Her past, mind you, prevents most hospital staff from fully understanding her and more importantly, leading them to judge her. My girlfriend has driven all the way to Ann Arbor in search of correct and proper care in ANY hospital. She found the correct and proper care right here at Bell with Alice. God Bless.”

“I would like to nominate Alice for helping other staff when the need arises and with a smile. This evening Alice took the time to help an ACU nurse with a nursing task. Your passion for our patients' health is appreciated every day. Thank you for all you do, Alice!”

UP Health System – Bell also recognizes our other nurses who were recently nominated for the DAISY Award:

• Camery Magnuson, LPN – Physician Practices
• Emily Paavola, RN – Emergency Department
• Elaine Douglas, FNP  –  Women’s Care
• Shawnia Taisto, RN – Acute Care Unit
• Karen Maki, LPN – Physician Practices
• Lauren Blosser, RN – Emergency Department

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 – Bell, 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.”

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 – Marquette are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”

"At UP Health System - Bell, our nurses are the heart of our care team, bringing skill, compassion, and dedication to every patient, every day. Recognizing our nursing staff is essential because their tireless commitment not only heals and comforts but also inspires the high standard of care we provide," said June Hanson, RN, senior nursing officer at UP Health System – Bell. " They are the backbone of our mission, and honoring their hard work with the DAISY Award is one way we express our gratitude for all they do to uplift our patients and our community."

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.