Hershey Medical Center presented the August DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award to Joanne Massage, a nurse in the Heart and Vascular Progressive Care Unit.
The accolade recognizes nurses for their skillful, compassionate care and their daily support of patients and families.
“Joanne brings unwavering support to the team and a sense of humor that keeps us all smiling through the most difficult days,” wrote Massage’s nominator, fellow nurse Kelly Rittle. “Despite how difficult this last year has been, I can confidently say that Joanne brought light to our shifts together.”
Along with the connections Massage forges with both patients and co-workers, her dedication to cleanliness and compassion stands out to Rittle. “One of Joanne’s passions is to keep her male patients clean-shaven,” Rittle wrote. “Staff often will ask to shave their male patients, stating, ‘This patient needs a Joanne day.’”
Daisy Award Mission
The DAISY Award was created in memory of Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. The DAISY Foundation was established by his family to keep his spirit alive. Its primary mission is to express gratitude to nurses for the work they do for patients and their families every day.
Who can nominate
Winners are nominated by staff members, patients and their families and selected by Hershey Medical Center’s Patient- and Family-Centered Care Advisory Council. See the award application and past winners on the Nursing Infonet site. Contact April Adley at 717-531-7289 with any questions.