CDH Presents its first DAISY Award; Lauds Nominees

Earlier this fall, Cooley Dickinson Hospital announced it was rolling out the DAISY Awards, a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families and co-workers.

Last week, North 3’s CJ O’Neill-Abell, RN, was awarded Cooley Dickinson’s first-ever DAISY Award.

CJ’s nominator wrote about their experience:

“My mom was admitted from the ER to North 3 for end-of-life care. CJ was the nurse welcoming my mom to the unit. Throughout the entire shift, CJ provided my mom with the most compassionate care. He took the time to answer all questions and checked on my mom and the family frequently. CJ’s bedside manner was exceptional. He spoke to my mom in the gentlest way. Overall demeanor was the best I have ever encountered as a loved one or patient. We are so thankful for the wonderful care provided by CJ during this difficult time. We can’t thank him enough.”

Other nominees for Cooley Dickinson’s first class of DAISY Awardee were registered nurses Oksana, ICU; Stephen, Telemetry; Marylou, Telemetry; Elizabeth, Telemetry; Ansel, Resource; Arlenis, Childbirth; Leah, Childbirth; Leah, Childbirth; Laura, Childbirth; Peter, Endoscopy; Laurie, Endoscopy; Scott, SDC/PACU; Deb, CVIR; Amy, Emergency Department; and Christian, Emergency Department.

Early Thursday morning, December 19, Interim Chief Nursing Officer Kevin Whitney, DNP, RN, presented CJ with the DAISY Award pin and certificate. “Thank you for providing extraordinary, compassionate care for this patient and family,” Kevin said. “The DAISY award is a prestigious recognition and receiving the first at Cooley Dickinson Hospital makes it even more special.  Congratulations CJ. And congratulations to all of the CDH nurses who were nominated.”

About the DAISY Award

DAISY Awards were founded by the Barnes family in 1999 to remember their son Patrick, who died at age 33 from complications of the autoimmune disease known as idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura. The family wanted to create a way to honor the strong relationship their son had with his nurses, and they developed this program to say thank you to nursing staff for the exceptional care they provide. As the sponsor organization describes it, “DAISY Award recognitions honor the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers – from Nursing Student through Lifetime Achievement in Nursing.”

Do you know a Candidate for the DAISY Award at CDH? 

Cooley Dickinson nurses can be nominated by patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians and staff; the award is open to anyone who experiences or observes extraordinary compassionate care being provided by a nurse. Nominations are being accepted for the next DAISY Award through Friday, January 10, 2025. Submit a nomination here.