Nominate an extraordinary nurse for the DAISY Award.

When 33-year-old Patrick Barnes died of an autoimmune disease, his family struggled with how to celebrate his memory. They found their answer in the compassion, sensitivity and caring of the nurses who cared for Pat.

Thus began a national program called The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Mayo Clinic Health System registered nurses in Chippewa Falls and other locations in northwest Wisconsin can be honored with The DAISY Award.

DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. Pat died from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known, but not uncommon, autoimmune disease. His family members established the not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California.

The DAISY Award, presented in collaboration with The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform.

“We are proud to be among the organizations participating in The DAISY Award program,” says Pam White, chief nursing officer for Mayo Clinic Health System in northwest Wisconsin. “Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.”

Based on specific criteria (see nomination form), a registered nurse will be selected monthly to receive The DAISY Award.

The award honors nurses with a certificate, statue, presentation and more.

“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide acutely ill patients every day and night, says Bonnie Barnes, president and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Mayo Clinic Health System are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

Mayo Clinic Health System is among more than 1,000 health care organizations nationwide committed to The DAISY Award program.