Extraordinary Nurses Recognized At Sidney Health Center

Richard Heckler, RN, and Jennifer Reid, RN, of Sidney Health Center were recently honored with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

During the ceremony on National Nurses Day in May, Sidney Health Center recognized a total of 10 nursing staff members from across the organization who were nominated by patients and family members for The DAISY Award.

One of the two nominations for Heckler read, "Richard was a bright spot through my cancer journey. Each chemo cycle was harder on my body but he was always able to brighten my day with stories and humor. He let me pick the music we listened to all day, dimmed the lights so I could sleep and always had a warm blanket for me. I looked forward to spending my chemo days with him."

Heckler works in the Cancer Care Suite as a medical oncology registered nurse. He has been with Sidney Health Center for two years. He joined the Cancer Care team anxious to learn a new field of nursing and to make a difference.

Reid also received two nominations from her patients in labor and delivery. One of the patients noted, "Jennifer was an absolutely amazing nurse during my labor and delivery. There were parts of my delivery that got pretty scary, and she was there through it all and reassured me through it all. She went above and beyond on explaining things as they were happening. She also never failed to make me feel heard and seen as things were taking place."

Reid has worked at Sidney Health Center for 24 years as a nurse and two years as a Certified Nurses Aid. She started out as an LPN and went onto become a RN. She has worked in the clinic, med/surg and in the operating room as a scrub nurse before finding her calling in the labor and delivery unit. She continues to learn and grow in her field, recently becoming a NRP (neonatal resuscitation program) instructor, which allows her to teach and certify staff at Sidney Health Center that are involved with newborn delivery.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at Sidney Health Center. Awards are presented twice a year at celebrations attended by the Honoree's colleagues, patients, and visitors. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him as an "Extraordinary Nurse." The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people." Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer's Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

Sidney Health Center's nursing staff is comprised of advanced practice, registered nurses and LPNs, who make up 20% of the workforce across the organization in a variety of areas. If you know a nurse who has provided exceptional care during your hospital stay, clinic visit, emergency situation, outpatient surgery or long-term care stay, you can show your appreciation and gratitude by nominating them for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Visit Sidney Health Center's website to learn more at SidneyHealth.org/Patients/Nominate-a-Nurse.