TOMAHAWK – Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital last week honored Francis Smazal, RN, with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
A release from Aspirus said Smazal received the award “in recognition of his 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 explained. “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.”
Smazal works in the Medical-Surgical Unit and was nominated for the DAISY Award by a grateful patient. The nomination said Smazal “seems to know how to help people who are in pain with treatment of wounds.”
Aspirus said Smazal and his 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,” Aspirus stated.
Additionally, Smazal received an honoree pin, a certificate and a 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,” Aspirus said.
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 stated. “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 about Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital, please visit www.aspirus.org.
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