Both the Olympic Medical Center ICU/Telemetry and respiratory therapy teams recently received the DAISY Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses, OMC representatives said in late 2022.

The award, created by the DAISY Foundation, recognizes the “extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day.”

Ratrin Junghanns-Royack, director of OMC’s ICU and telemetry department, and Dottie Crates, manager for OMC’s respiratory therapy department, accepted plaques for their departments.

Each honoree received a certificate and DAISY Team pin.

“I am extremely proud of everyone and the work each person does. You deserve this award,” Junghanns-Royack said. “You didn’t win this — you all earned this. You can all be proud of yourself and this achievement.”

The teams were nominated for the DAISY award by an anonymous staff member, who wrote:

“The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. Each member of the ICU/Telemetry unit and Respiratory Therapy department united and the team’s ability to adapt and work collectively to meet head-on the challenges presented showed an unwavering commitment to each other, patients and families, OMC, and the community at large.

We witnessed dedication, innovation, and willingness to help fight against a relentless viral enemy in the face of multiple fears – fear of the unknown, risks to themselves, and the thoughts of bringing the virus home to loved ones.

The resilience of the team after long hours, challenging patients and difficult situations with patient family members, extra shifts, frequent changes to policy, need for safety and distancing, and especially the impact of each patient death, is extraordinary in itself. This team makes a difference in the physical and emotional well-being of patients and families that most people will never know the extent or at what cost to their own well-being.

It is an honor to work alongside these team members that continue each and every day to show their perseverance, strength of character, and commitment to improving patient care and outcomes.”

The list of honored employees includes registered nurses, arrhythmia technicians, certified nurse assistants, and respiratory therapists, totaling 77 employees.

For a complete list of honorees, visit olympicmedical.org/news.

Olympic Medical nurses and teams may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him 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 hand-carved sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.”

A cross-functional committee of healthcare workers reviews the nominations and selects the final nominee.

Go to olympicmedical.org/thank-a-nurse for more information or to nominate an extraordinary Olympic Medical Center nurse or nursing team.

About the DAISY Foundation

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family.

Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of an auto-immune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem).

The care Barnes 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, organization representatives said.

More information can be found at DAISYfoundation.org.