Blackwood Nurse Recognized With DAISY Award

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A nurse from Blackwood was among three Jefferson Health nurses who were recently honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, Jefferson announced Tuesday morning.

Ann Riedinger, a Registered Nurse Beyond Certified who specializes in Behavioral Health at Jefferson Cherry Hill, was recognized as part of the National DAISY Foundation's program to recognize nurses who go “above and beyond” every day. The other winners were:

• Judith Harrison, RN, BSN, CMSRN, of Sewell, NJ: SDS/GI/Endo, Jefferson Washington Township Hospital; and
• Jennifer Roach, RN, of Berlin, NJ: ACE Unit, Jefferson Stratford Hospital

“The work of nurses has a rippling effect,” Jefferson Health New Jersey Chief Nurse Executive Helene Burns said. “What we do makes a huge difference to so many people. We are proud participants of the DAISY Award program. It signifies something truly special, and has had a positive impact on our nursing culture, as we continue to improve lives every day.”

Nurses are nominated for a DAISY Award by current and past patients (or their family members), physicians, nurses, or other Jefferson personnel for demonstrating excellence through clinical expertise, extraordinary compassionate care, and a high-level of professionalism.

The nonprofit DAISY Foundation was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in late 1999 at the age of 33 from complications of an auto-immune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique way of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patients’ families.

“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” DAISY Foundation Co-Founder Bonnie Barnes said. “Yet, these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the great work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Jefferson are called on to do epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

Jefferson’s DAISY honorees in New Jersey receive an “Extraordinary Nurse” certificate; a DAISY pin; a unique, hand-carved sculpture from Zimbabwe, representing how vital “A Healer’s Touch” is; and Cinnabon Rolls — one of Patrick’s favorite snacks. To learn more, visit www.DAISYfoundation.org.