4 South nurse receives St. Agnes Hospital DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses honor

Indira Husic, RN, 4 South, has been named a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner at SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® is part of The DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. 

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen based on specific criteria to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented to one recipient on a quarterly basis at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors. 

Husic was nominated by a patient’s loved one who wrote:

“Indira took extra steps in care, educating the patient on the diagnosis and giving the proper resources to educate himself as well. She really gave a ton of positivity. Very open minded to the healing process and reminding the patient that he will get through this. She encouraged him to do the ‘hard’ things that he didn’t feel up to just yet, pushed him just the right amount, giving him reassurance that he could do things (walking, sitting up, going to the bathroom). She kept a close eye on every detail and always checked in, making sure that he had everything that he needed.

“At one point, he was put into a very uncomfortable situation. He wasn’t happy about and became irritated, which is normal in these situations. He kept trying to convince himself that he couldn’t do it, but she encouraged to do what was best for his health concern and it made him feel a lot better in the long run. Overall amazing care from Indira. Everyone did an amazing job providing care. Thank you all!” 

Indira was recognized on December 11 during a brief ceremony. She received a certificate commending her as an “Extraordinary Nurse.”  The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin, and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” according to Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, president and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work they do. The kind of work the nurses St. Agnes Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.