PRESQUE ISLE , Maine – Lindsey Cummings, RN, an emergency room nurse at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, was recently recognized for her outstanding patient care by being presented with a DAISY Award.
“Many nurses treat the body and comfort their patients. What I witnessed today was something special. This nurse treated the patient’s spirit and brought some sunlight to a tough situation. A heart that big deserves a DAISY Award,” noted Jodi Kierstead, RN, performance improvement specialist at the hospital, in an excerpt from her nomination.
Kierstead was referring to the fact that Cummings, with appropriate approvals and safety protocols in place, took a long-term adolescent patient from the ED out for some fresh air one day earlier this year. They went to see the ducks, threw some snowballs, and played. Kierstead witnessed the patient upon return to the ED and noted it was heartwarming that the child was glowing.
Also nominating Cummings was Cassandra Bolstridge, CNA, who had a personal experience with Cumming’s care. “Lindsey cared for more than just a patient with a chief complaint, she cared for me as a person. Not only did she treat my pain physically, but she calmed my nerves and put me at ease,” said Bolstridge in her nomination. “The world needs more nurses like her.”
During a surprise celebration, Cummings was presented a daisy pin, a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa, and a certificate commending her for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.”
The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. It was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an auto-immune disease. The care he and his family received from nurses inspired this means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
Each quarter, AR Gould Hospital recognizes one of its nurses with the DAISY Award. These nurses are nominated by patients, family members of patients, co-workers, or community members for the outstanding care and compassion they provide.
For those who would like to nominate a nurse for consideration for a DAISY Award, nominations can be made online, please visit www.northernlighthealth.org/Our-System/AR-Gould-Hospital/About-Us/Daisy-Award.
