Franciscan Health nurses receive Daisy Award

Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is pleased to recognize two registered nurses as their latest Daisy Award recipients. Elizabeth Martinez and Joselyn Hernandez, both hired in 2012 as new graduates, were both nominated in the same letter from a former grateful patient.

Elizabeth Martinez, affectionately called “Liz”, of Tinley Park, IL, and Joselyn Hernandez of Hammond, IN, were both praised for their patience, promptness and excellence in nursing.

“I wanted to give a big shout out to the nurses and staff who gave me their time and, in my opinion, went above and beyond their expected duties for me,” the grateful patient explained. “Joselyn made it a point to keep me company when she had time and helped me to laugh and enjoy my stay and considering my circumstances that’s a HUGE deal. Liz was an excellent nurse, took great care of me both physically and mentally. She was great company and went out of her way to help me understand my stay, situation and what the game plan for my stay was”.

As part of this award, both nurses 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 presentation 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 by 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. Cinnabons are given 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 Cinnabons 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 award can be found at https://www.daisyfoundation.org.

Photo Caption: Elizabeth Martinez (left) and Joselyn Hernandez are the latest Daisy Award recipients at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields.

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