St. Francis Medical Center Names Winner of DAISY Nursing Award

St. Francis Medical Center recently named Kathleen Rowley, RN, BSN, RN Team Coordinator at St. Francis Medical Center, as its first DAISY Nursing Award winner.

The award is presented in collaboration with The American Organization of Nurse Executives. It is part of the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

Rowley, New Egypt, Ocean County, was nominated for her patient-centered care. Her nominator, Annette Jimenez, a patient who also works at St. Francis as a unit secretary, said, “I met Kathleen before my surgery, and she immediately put me at ease. She checked on me after surgery, too. She was kind, positive, and made me feel cared for. I’m grateful for her care and how she helped make my surgery a good experience.”

“I’m honored to have been chosen as St. Francis’ first DAISY award winner,” said Rowley. “My patients are my priority, and I do my best to let them know that I’m there for them every step of the way. I’m thankful for this award and proud to be a part of the St. Francis nursing team.”

The DAISY Award was established in 2000 by the Barnes family in honor of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of an auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received inspired the family to thank nurses nationwide for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and families.

“We have an extraordinary nursing staff at St. Francis, and to be named the DAISY awardee speaks volumes to the patient-centered care that Kathleen gives to our patients and their families,” said Dan Moen, President, St. Francis Medical Center. “Kathleen is living out our mission and I’m pleased to see her receive this award.”

There were 21 nominees for the first St. Francis DAISY award, said St. Francis’ Chief Nursing Officer Eddie Perez. During the award ceremony, Perez presented Rowley with the DAISY Foundation’s “Healer’s Touch” sculpture, as well as an award certificate and DAISY award pin.

In addition to being a patient advocate, Rowley’s supervisors, Mary Ann Mezger, RN, nurse manager, Ambulatory Care Center and Endoscopy Unit; and Max Santiago, RN, PhD, Perioperative Services director, noted how Rowley is known by her coworkers for being thoughtful, a team player, and professional. “It’s a well-deserved award for Kathleen,” said Mezger. “She’s an inspiration to all of us and we’re proud to have her on our team.”

To learn more about the DAISY award, visit https://www.daisyfoundation.org/daisy-award.

Caption (pictured left to right): Mary Ann Mezger, RN, nurse manager, Ambulatory Care Center and Endoscopy Unit; Dan Moen, President, St. Francis Medical Center; Kathleen Rowley, RN, St. Francis Medical Center 2018 DAISY Award winner; Max Santiago, PhD, RN, Perioperative Services director; and Eddie Perez, Chief Nursing Officer, St. Francis Medical Center.