Chief Nursing Officer Ralph Parker, MSN, RN, recently honored Ardith Schuchardt, RN, with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® at Olympic Medical Center. The award, created by the DAISY Foundation, recognizes nurses for extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day.
Schuchardt has worked as an obstetrics registered nurse at Olympic Medical Center for more than 26 years.
A patient nominated Schuchardt for a DAISY award and wrote:
“I had never stayed in a hospital overnight and most experiences I’ve had at other hospitals haven’t been the greatest. Nurse Ardith was so attentive… She always made sure that I was comfortable and talked me through all the procedures my doctor did. Of all the nurses I interacted with during my stay, she stood out the most.
“I’m a soon to be new mother. I had a horrible miscarriage and a very judgmental hospital experience [at a different hospital] with my first pregnancy, but every fear I had going in was put at ease and I was in the hands of absolutely incredible staff and most specifically Nurse Ardith.
“Thank you so much Nurse Ardith for your positive attitude, caring nature, attentive care, and kindness. You truly made my visit one of the best experiences I’ve had at a hospital.”
Nurses from throughout the Olympic Medical Center system 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 meaningful, hand-carved sculpture called A Healer’s Touch.
Go to www.olympicmedical.org/thank-a-nurse for more information or to nominate an extraordinary Olympic Medical Center nurse.
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. Patrick 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 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. More information can be found at DAISYfoundation.org.
