Mercy South Announces DAISY Award Winners

The DAISY Award is an international program to honor and celebrate nurses who provide extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care every day. The DAISY Foundation established the award in memory of Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 from complications of an auto-immune disease. The care he and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired the award. Each month, Mercy Hospital South nursing leaders choose an award winner for their facility.

The team on 5 East (General Surgery) has earned the first ever DAISY Team Award at Mercy Hospital South for extraordinary, compassionate nursing care.

A patient’s wife nominated the 5 East team by writing: “My husband has been in and out of Mercy South 75 of the last 120 days. He has received outstanding care throughout the hospital. He has graced the 6^th, 3^rd and 4^th floor in cardiac, where I recommended certain individuals for DAISY and Daffodil awards, but we wanted to spotlight 5 East in particular, as a team.

“The nurses and assistants are kind, compassionate, confident, caring, attentive and good listeners. They made us feel like we mattered and understood this was a hard time in our lives. My husband’s case is difficult and requires patience. No matter who is taking care of him, the level of care is the same. We could rely on their expertise and kindness. They make a difference and should be recognized accordingly.

“We live in a world where people forget to say thank you or forget to commend outstanding service. We wanted to commend the entire team, including their manager, for his outstanding care! They are remarkable! My husband feels safe, well cared for, loved and happy, as much as he can considering the situation. I have been there every day and witnessed their actions firsthand. When I left, I was sure he would receive the same care as while I was sitting with him.

“If you have a team award, we highly recommend this team. Truly, they are the standard all floors should strive for in this everchanging age of health care. We are unable to give them a big enough thank you.

“We understand the pandemic has made being a health care provider more difficult, but you would never know it by the care Mercy South as provided.”

Jana Steibel, RN, earned the latest DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care she provides in the cardiac telemetry unit at Mercy Hospital South.

A patient, who is a retired Marine, nominated Steibel by writing: “Let me tell you about Jana. She showed a very caring side when it came to my care. I have a mental illness and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). When I would have a flashback and begin to cry, she would touch me on the shoulder and let me know that everything would be alright. Always a smile and a thank you. She always checked on me and went over my medications. She is an outstanding nurse and a wonderful human being. Jana is the reason I always recommend Mercy South to all my friends and doctors. I wish all nurses were like Jana.”

The celebration of Steibel’s DAISY Award was held on Nov. 10, Marine Corps Day, which celebrates the day the Marines were founded.

Jessica Lutker, RN, earned the latest DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care she provides in the orthopedics unit at Mercy Hospital South.

A patient nominated Lutker by writing: “Recently, I was an inpatient at Mercy South... I was treated like royalty by your nurses and patient care associates. However, I must single out one in particular: Jessica Lutker, RN. She treated me like someone special with respect, concern and compassion. It did not take long to figure out that Jessica treated all her patients and fellow co-workers in the same way! She is certainly an asset to the hospital and her profession… Nurse Jessica is someone special! If a person was looking for an angel on Earth, they need not look any further than a good nurse! Jessica is not just good, she is great!”

Stephanie Weber, RN, earned the latest DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care she provides with Mercy Hyperbaric and Wound Care - Southfork.

A co-worker nominated Stephanie by writing: "Stephanie came in on her day off, picked up some ostomy supplies and went to a patient’s home who was having a very difficult time keeping a pouch on. She took her time and skill to help one of our patients."

Beth Patrick, RN, Float Pool, earned the latest DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care she provides at Mercy Hospital South.

A patient nominated Beth by writing: “My wife of 61 years was in the hospital at the same as me. She is paralyzed on the left side from a stroke almost five years ago and now other complications. Beth asked if I would like to take a short trip down two floors to visit my wife since we hadn’t seen each other for a week. She got a wheelchair and we surprised my wife with a short visit. My wife cried! Beth went beyond her call of duty, saw a sad couple and responded to our feelings.  I’ll not forget her! Thank you, Beth!”

Jackie Siemer, RN, has earned the latest DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care she provides on 8 West at Mercy Hospital South.

A patient nominated Siemer by writing: “I underwent surgery and had a lot of complications. I wound up back at Mercy South. Jackie was my nurse for my first two days, and I was in really rough shape. We couldn’t get my pain under control. I wasn’t sleeping, couldn’t eat and was just miserable. Jackie went above and beyond to help me while I was there. She could tell I was miserable and would constantly check on me. She was always extremely friendly and smiling. This helped me so much. I was in a very dark place, and she lit up the room every time she came in. She was a huge comfort to me in my time of need. She impressed me so much. Nothing slows her down. It is obvious that patients are Jackie’s main priority, and she made me fell like I was her only patient, even though I know she had other patients. Her kindness and attentiveness truly helped me pull myself out of the dark mental place I was in, and I slowly began to get better and stronger. She kept me informed about my treatment plan and any changes my doctor made. She advocated for me when I was in pain and all around just made my stay at Mercy South more comfortable. No one wants to be in the hospital, but I feel so blessed that Jackie was my nurse while I was there. She deserves to be recognized for her amazing attitude, her big heart and her top-notch nursing skills. Thanks again to Jackie for helping me through the toughest week of my life.”

Kristin Wall, RN, has earned the latest DAISY Award for extraordinary, compassionate nursing care she provides in the orthopedics unit of Mercy Hospital South.

A co-worker nominated Wall by writing:

“Kristin took care of a patient and found out the patient is homeless. The patient’s clothes and shoes were very worn and had holes. She came in the following day, on her day off, and brought clothes and shoes for the patient. This act of kindness just shows how great of a person and nurse she is. She always provides exceptional care to her patients. I have witnessed that the past four years as her manager, along with working alongside her on the floor. I feel Kristin deserves this DAISY award for her exceptional and compassionate care she provides. She is a prime example of living out the mission and values of Mercy!”

Kaytln Harpole, RN, emergency department, earned a DAISY Award thanks to this nomination by a co-worker:

“Kaytln received not one, not two, but three outstanding compliments from patients in just a few hours.

“One patient stated: ‘This was a difficult problem. I asked Kaytln how long she has been doing this, and she said a short time. But, her kindness, compassion and empathy in addition to her skills are well beyond her years. She truly is an asset.’ Kaytln provided this patient with compassion, dignity and respect every step of her care.

“Another compliment surrounded Kaytln taking ownership and accountability for a patient’s extended wait in the emergency department. The patient’s family appreciated Kaytln’s transparency and honesty about the expected time they would be in the ED. The family said, ‘A lot of the time, someone would just pass the buck.’ Instead, Kaytln explained the reasoning, explained a potential wait time, and also explained that she would be providing frequent updates and ensuring they were not just left in the room as the family worried would happen. The family said Kaytln really did everything she could to make them comfortable. She not only comforted the patient but comforted the family. She provided warm blankets and snacks, and she ensured they were able to watch sports. Kaytln continued updating the family frequently and did a great job providing exceptional care and patient experience.

“Finally, Kaytln was very patient with a confused, challenging patient. The patient’s daughter complimented Kaytlyn’s patience and compassion, especially after the patient yelled and began to become aggressive. Katlyn successfully verbally deescalated the situation.”