Nurse earns DAISY Excellence Award at Aspirus Medford

Aspirus Volunteers-Medford is proud to announce Ken Monness, a registered nurse on Aspirus Medford Hospital’s medical-surgical unit, was recently recognized with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Monness was honored during National Nurses Month for his commitment and his patient-centered approach to care. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the superhuman efforts nurses perform every day. Established in 1999, the family of J. Patrick Barnes created the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) Award to honor his memory with a tribute to the skillful and compassionate care he received from his nurses during his hospitalization.

Now presented in over 4,800 health care facilities in 29 countries, the DAISY Award provides a way for patients, families and colleagues to give meaningful recognition to extraordinary nurses.

In Medford, a committee of Aspirus volunteers reviews nominations to determine which nurse will receive the DAISY Award. Criteria for recognition include exceeding the needs and expectations of patients and families by living Aspirus’ core values: Compassion, Accountability, Collaboration, Foresight and Joy.

Monness was nominated for the DAISY Award by a patient who wrote: “I nominate Ken because he was there for me the day I came to the hospital. I was going through so many emotions. First, I was scared, and he listened. Then I got frustrated/angry – why me and where did I get [COVID-19] from? We discussed the changing aspects of the [COVID-19] virus. He talked with me about things they were doing for me and was there when I needed to talk. Ken is a caring, compassionate person. Thank you! Only fitting that he gave me my instructions and wheeled me to the car to go home. But just know that all the nurses that took care of me were GREAT and I thank them all!”

A surprise celebration for Monness was held May 13 on the medical-surgical unit. During the event, he received a DAISY pin, certificate and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “Healer’s Touch” that was hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

Afterward, Monness and co-workers were treated to cinnamon rolls which honor the memory of the late Patrick Barnes who once ate his father’s cinnamon roll when he was in the hospital without an appetite for food. He then requested one for the next day – and enough for all the nurses on the unit. The hope is that whenever a nurse smells that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they will stop for a minute and think of how special they are for being a nurse.

Nurses may be nominated year-round by patients, families, visitors or colleagues. To share your story and say thank you to a nurse, visit aspirus.org/ staff-member-compliments.