Pre-Op Holding clinical nurse receives DAISY Award

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Department of Nursing recently honored Pre-Op Holding clinical nurse Phyllis Garr, BSN, RN, with a DAISY Award. 

Garr was nominated by a grateful patient who also happens to be at nurse leader at another Magnet recognized hospital in New England. In her nomination letter, the patient wrote:

I sought treatment for my cancer through Dana-Faber and had surgery (twice) at BWFH. My surgeon shared that the nursing care at the “Friendly Faulkner” was incredible. I was blessed to have Phyllis assigned to me during my second surgery. Keep in mind I have been on the “other side of the sheets” for 35 years as a nurse and this is really my very first illness. I had to come back to the OR for an unexpected revision. Phyllis’s care was truly exceptional. She asked questions about the first surgery, how I had recovered, how I felt about this new turn and how I was doing emotionally. She was kind, warm and, dare I say, loving during the whole stay. When she found out that I worked at a Magnet organization she shared information about your journey and even allowed me to read the parts of your document related to the ambulatory surgery unit. She made my care personal and certainly over the top. I serve on our DAISY team here at my hospital and I know a Magnet facility when I see it and I sure do know a DAISY nurse when I see one. I am coming back soon for my reconstruction surgery and actually have very little apprehension as I know I am in great hands.

Garr, who normally is on the other side of the DAISY Award as a member of Nursing Professional Recognition and Advancement Committee, was presented with her DAISY Award by members of nursing leadership, fellow members of the Nursing Professional Recognition and Advancement Committee and her supportive co-workers. “As a member of this committee, I give this award to extraordinary nurses. Never once did I think I would be on the receiving end of this prestigious international award with all the history behind it!” she says of the honor.

During the presentation, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services Cori Loescher, MM, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, recalled meeting Garr’s patient at the 2019 ANCC National Magnet Conference. “She sought me out to tell me how wonderful her experience was,” says Loescher. “You truly were her DAISY angel.”

Garr also encountered her patient at the Magnet conference. “I was in a convention center with 10,000 other nurses and I looked over and there she was!” she says. “It is very meaningful to have been nominated for the DAISY Award by someone who knows first-hand what excellence in nursing looks like.”

The DAISY Award, established by the DAISY Foundation, is named in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at the age of 33 from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease. The Barnes Family was inspired by the care that Patrick received and established this unique program to recognize and thank the nurses nationwide who make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and families. 

To learn more about the DAISY Foundation, visit daisyfoundation.org.

BWFH DAISY nurses consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinarily compassionate care. They are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community and make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and their family members. Patients, visitors, nurses, physicians and employees may nominate a deserving nurse by completing a nomination online.