Local Nurse Recognized for Commitment to Patient Care
March 23, 2023
Jackson Purchase Medical Center (JPMC) today announced Allie Gonzalez, RN, as a recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award, which was created in memory of the late Patrick Barnes, recognizes licensed nurses who demonstrate extraordinary, compassionate care.
The DAISY, which standards for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem, Award has been honoring nurses internationally since 1999. At the age of 33, Patrick was diagnosed with the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) and admitted to the hospital where he stayed for eight weeks before succumbing to the illness. After his death, Patrick’s family created the DAISY Foundation and the award to honor nurses who cared for patients just like Patrick’s nurses had.
Allie, a nurse in Med/Surg, was nominated for her amazing commitment to patient care, going as far as taking it upon herself to visit a patient at home and provide them with care and support when they did not qualify for in-home services.
"Allie is a champion for patient care and works to make a difference in our community," said Perry Ballard, chief nursing officer at JPMC. "The way she has stepped up to go above and beyond what we expect of our nursing staff is exactly why she is so deserving of this recognition."
Recipients of the DAISY Award receive a certificate, a pin and a "Healer's Touch" award, hand-carved by artists in Zimbabwe. This African stone sculpture symbolizes the relationship between nurses, patients and families. DAISY Award recognitions honor the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers.
Also recognized during the ceremony as being nominated for the award were JPMC nurses Debbie O'Connor from the Emergency Department and Holly Jenkins in Endoscopy.
To learn more about the DAISY Award or to nominate a nurse, visit DaisyFoundation.org.
During his illness, Patrick frequently indulged in cinnamon rolls, a treat that his family now asks be a part of all DAISY Award ceremonies.