Extraordinary Little Company of Mary Nurse Recognized for Skill and Compassion

Photos courtesy of Little Company of Mary Hospital.

Michelle Minnick, a nurse who works in Little Company of Mary’s Cancer Center, was presented with the DAISY Award for her extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care.

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors “the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day,” according to the DAISY Foundation.

Minnick is the 22nd nurse at Little Company of Mary Hospital to receive a DAISY Award, according to a news release. Recipients are nominated by peers, physicians, patients, families, and other staff and administrators.

“Every treatment and conversation with Michelle just makes my experience much less painful,” said Dorotha Harris, a patient of Michelle Minnick’s, in the news release. “I enjoy her spirit and kindness and I wish every hospital could have a nurse like Michelle on their team.”

Minnick’s department recognized her achievements, and she received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a hand-carved stone sculpture entitled “A Healer’s Touch.”

The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 of complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP), according to the news release. The Barns family decided to recognize extraordinary nurses like the ones who took care of Patrick through his hospitalization.

At Minnick’s recognition, the Cancer Center celebrated her award with Cinnabon® cinnamon rolls, which Patrick Barnes enjoyed during his illness, according to the news release.

“The Barnes Family asks that whenever and wherever nurses smell that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they stop for a moment and think about how special they are,” the release stated.

“It is rare that you come across a true individual who possesses the compassion, sincerity and devotion for others who have been impacted by cancer,” Harris said in the news release. “Over the past year, I have witnessed a caring individual who takes pride in the nurses’ profession while helping me believe that there is hope still in the mist of my trials and tribulations. Michelle is committed to the cause and has helped me in ways I never thought possible. It is through this nurse’s caring approach that I have found strength. Michelle is a motivating and inspiring person who gives all while ensuring me that I am not alone. Michelle’s nurturing and understanding of the disease helps me feel very comfortable through my journey. I truly hope that you are aware of the quality of a person and professional that you have on your staff at the hospital.”

How can you nominate an extraordianry nurse?
Patients or visitors may nominate a deserving nurse by:
1) Filling out the online form at http://www.lcmh.org/DAISY, or
2) Printing and filling out the online nomination form and then mailing the form to 2800 West 95th Street. Evergreen Park, IL 60805, ATTN: Lisa DiMarco, or drop off the form at the main or 94th Street entrance of the hospital.