Gabrielle Wallace, a nurse in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, was selected as the November DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award winner. A patient’s family nominated her for the care she provided their son.
“She took the necessary steps to provide proper medical attention,” wrote Wallace’s nominator. “If a hug was appropriate, I would have hugged her.”
The nominator’s son, a pediatric patient with special needs, was gagging and vomiting when Wallace stepped in to help. Wallace listened to the parent’s concerns, helped adjust a feeding tube, stayed positive and helped keep the family informed.
Judy Himes, Hershey Medical Center senior vice president and chief nursing officer, presented Wallace with a DAISY Award certificate, a pin, a hand-carved Shona sculpture entitled “A Healer’s Touch” and a treat to share with her unit.
“Gabby addressed my concerns for my son’s health,” Wallace’s nominator said. “She was gracious, extremely professional and moved swiftly…She is an impressive asset to Hershey and her patients.”
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 Kris Reynolds at 717-531-7025 with any questions.
