Daisy Award for Exceptional Nurses

Gina Duggan has earned the admiration of the students she serves as a youth health centre co-ordinator at Sackville High School, the teachers and staff at the school and her colleagues in Public Health. So it is fitting that Gina is the first public health nurse in Canada to be recognized with the DAISY Award for exceptional nurses.

The DAISY Award is an international nursing award program offered in partnership with the DAISY Foundation, which created the awards program to recognize nurses who weave excellence in clinical expertise with human compassion and empathy.

One of the teachers at Sackville High shares, “Gina leads 100 per cent with her heart. She keeps her feet on the ground and shows unconditional positive regard for our health and well-being. She is a role model to everybody at our school.”

The students with whom Gina works speak to the impact she’s had on their lives. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. You believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself,” shares one student. Another says, “You have a big heart and such an open mind. You have touched many hearts, including mine. You’re like a mother bird. You take us under your wing when we need you.” Yet another student says, “Congratulations on being an extraordinary nurse. Congratulations on being an extraordinary human being.”

Gina insists that anything she gives is outweighed by the rewards of the job. To the students of the Youth Health Centre, she says: “For every minute thing I’ve given you, I’ve gotten it back 10-fold.”

Congratulations, Gina, on this well deserved recognition. We’re proud that you’re part of the Capital Health team.

Nomination Summary

Edna is a clinical expert in Endoscopy who is client focused. She always goes the extra mile to accommodate the needs of patients, especially in emergent situations. She will rearrange a whole unit if needed, to fit in an Emergency, for the sake of the patient. She is compassionate and caring to all her patients. She is committed to continuous quality improvements to ensure patients receive the best care. She has been a leader in Endoscopy and has been instrumental in spear heading the use of Nurse Led Discharges, Patient Satisfaction Survey, and patient teaching materials specific to Endoscopy.

She is a certified GI Nurse. This exemplifies her commitment to continuous personal and professional development. She is always respectful in her communication with patients with sensitivity to the diverse cultural needs of our client population. She is a role model who has a wonderful sense of humour!

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Patty Henley, nurse for 33 years at Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital, was presented with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses this fall for her outstanding performance as an emergency nurse.

During a shift at the hospital’s Outpatient/Emergency Department in September, Patty received word that a ship had been re-routed into in the harbour with a quarantined ill sailor on board who required immediate medical attention. Recognizing that crews travel from all over the world, Patty was concerned about contagious or infectious disease. She alerted the infection control department to protect the hospital, the nursing home, and the community as a whole.

Daphne Murray, impressed with the nurse’s actions, nominated her as an extraordinary nurse. Henley is the first emergency nurse in Canada to receive the award.

In her remarks, made of behalf of the District Nursing Advisory Council, Daphne shared, “No technology in health care replaces the critical thinking of a human mind, the caring of a human soul, the proficiency and skill of a human hand and the warmth of a human heart in healing the sick and the injured. Patty, you consistently demonstrate leadership, knowledge, courage, advocacy and critical thinking. Those of us who are around you can feel your compassion for not only your patients and colleagues, but for your community as well…It is always front and centre in all you do.”

Henley was also recognized for her sensitive mentoring of newly graduated and student nurses.
Humbled by their words, in accepting the award, Henley stated, “I am mindful that I am part of a team who strives to provide excellence in patient care. There was a whole team helping me.”

Congratulations, Patty! We’re thrilled that you are part of the Capital Health team.