Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital and Clinics recently honored Melissa Long, RN, with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in recognition for their commitment and patient-centered approach to care. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.
Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital DAISY Award recipients are nurses recognized for going above and beyond patient expectations by providing service with respect, compassion, and integrity; generating enthusiasm and energy while carrying out everyday duties and responsibilities; significantly making a difference and listening not only with ears but also with heart.
Long was nominated for the DAISY Award by a colleague. The nomination reads:
We had a patient that due to complications ended up having a more lengthy stay here at the hospital. Melissa went the extra step to bring this patient clothes when she was finally being discharged. The patient had arrived with no personal belongings. Leaving with a nice soft sweater put a huge smile on her face. Melissa also took the time to bring this patient outside for walks on our paved walkway. Having been here for over a month, it was beneficial for this patient to get some much needed fresh air as well as a change of scenery. Melissa’s heart and attentiveness towards this patient most certainly helped make a tough situation more positive. I admire her heart for her patients and her drive to advocate and treat each person with the dignity they deserve!
Long and her co-workers were treated to cinnamon rolls which honor the memory of the late Patrick Barnes who once ate his father’s cinnamon roll when he was in the hospital without an appetite for food. He then requested one for the next day – and enough for all the nurses in the unit. The hope is that whenever a nurse smells that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they’ll stop for a minute and think of how special they are for being a nurse. Additionally, Long received a daisy honoree pin, certificate, a bouquet of daisies donated by Nature’s Riches, and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
Established in 1999, the family of J. Patrick Barnes created the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award to honor his memory with a tribute to the skillful and compassionate care he received from his nurses during his hospitalization. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, visitors and colleagues and they are chosen by a multi-disciplinary team to receive the DAISY Award.
The DAISY Award recognizes the outstanding and extraordinary care nurses provide every day. Aspirus DAISY Award winners and nominees exceed the needs and expectations of patients and families by displaying the Aspirus core values of: Compassion, Accountability, Collaboration, Foresight and Joy.
For more information on Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital, please visit
aspirus.org.