Franciscan Health honors extraordinary nurse

Franciscan Health Olympia Fields recognized Erica Alcantar, RN, as its latest recipient of the Daisy Award, a national award presented to registered nurses who exemplify exceptional contributions to their hospital’s patients and team members.

A registered nurse in the hospital’s Medical/Surgical/Oncology/Telemetry 2800 Unit for more two years, Alcantar was nominated by the daughter of a Franciscan Health Olympia Fields patient, who described the South Chicago Heights resident as an outstanding communicator who is always pleasant and professional.

“As one of seven siblings, I was chosen as the primary contact when my mother was hospitalized,” the patient’s daughter said. “Each time I spoke with Erica, she was pleasant and professional. What makes Erica outstanding is how she communicates effectively when providing updates to myself & family. She has a checklist that we go over and she patiently makes sure I understand it before leaving the room.”

She added that Alcantar, who previously served as a hospital phlebotomist for seven years before becoming a registered nurse, took time to make sure that the patient was comfortable, clean, and fresh.

“If I’m ever hospitalized, I would welcome Erica as my RN,” she added, “because she really, genuinely cares and she shows it based on how she treats her patients.”

Franciscan Health salutes nurses like Alcantar who deliver extraordinary, compassionate, and skillful care. As part of this recognition, she received a DAISY award pin, the Healer's Touch sculpture, a DAISY Award certificate, and a box of Cinnabon cinnamon rolls to share with coworkers. Funding for the DAISY Award is provided by the Franciscan Health Foundation.

About the DAISY Award

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is an internationally recognized honor that was established in 1999 via the DAISY Foundation members of the family of Patrick Barnes. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. Patrick Barnes was a 33-year-old husband and father of an infant daughter who died eight weeks after being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease idiopathic thrombocytopenia. The award was established to honor what his family perceived to be extraordinary kindness and compassion by the nurses caring for him during his illness. Cinnabon’s are given to the winners because when Patrick was too ill to have an appetite, at one point he was able to eat a Cinnabon his father had brought, and Patrick requested that Cinnabon’s be brought in the next day for not just him, but for the nurses as a thank you for their care. More information about the DAISY award can be found at https://www.daisyfoundation.org .

Submitted by Robyn Ali, Marketing Specialist, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, Marketing and Public Relations Department robyn.ali@franciscanalliance.org