CMH announces DAISY Award winner, Kathleen Idzal
Contact: Sarah Bello
Emergency Department nurse, Kathleen Idzal, honored
CMH is pleased to announce Emergency Department nurse Kathleen Idzal as its most recent recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Kathleen was nominated by a fellow nurse whose family member was treated at CMH.
“As a nurse of almost 25 years, I can state the care he received was top notch and Kathleen should definitely be recognized for the difference she made in our lives that day,” the patient’s family member said. “She worked late that night to see his needs were met. I looked for a halo because she certainly is an angel.”
CMH gives out three DAISY awards each year. Most of the nominations come from patients or their family members.
“The DAISY Award is such a great way to honor the outstanding care given by our nurses,” said Judy Geiger, CMH’s vice president of patient care services. “Kathleen greatly impacted the patient and his wife, who nominated her for the award. I am proud to work with such incredible nurses.”
The DAISY Foundation was created in 1999 after 33-year-old J. Patrick Barnes died from complications from an auto-immune disease. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
Barnes spent the last eight weeks of his life in hospitals while he was treated for his ITP symptoms. The nursing care he received profoundly impacted his family. Barnes’ family created the foundation and award to honor nurses who provide outstanding care to patients and patient families.
Award recipients receive a DAISY pin, a personalized certificate, a stone sculpture made by the Shona people of Zimbabwe titled “The Healer’s Touch,” and cinnamon rolls – a treat Barnes enjoyed while hospitalized. “The Healer’s Touch” represents the bond between nurses and their patients.
Kathleen will be highlighted on the DAISY Foundation website and will be eligible to apply for several scholarships.
CMH will continue recognizing DAISY honorees throughout the year. If you have a great story about a CMH nurse, please submit it to Becky Altomere at raltomere@columbiamemorial.org or at columbiamemorial.org/daisy.