UP Health System – Marquette is proud to recognize Nykole Fitzgibbon, RN, Staffing Pool, as this quarter’s recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The DAISY Award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to honor the exceptional, compassionate care nurses provide to patients and families every day.

Fitzgibbon’s dedication to patient-centered care and her thoughtful attention to detail made a lasting impact on both the patient and their family during a hospital stay.

“All of my husband’s nurses took good care of him, but Nykole went above and beyond,” the patient’s spouse wrote. “She knew he was going to Mill Creek Memory Care and had been using a PureWick in the hospital. Nykole recognized that he would be more comfortable there if he could use the urinal, so she set a timer on her watch, removed the PureWick, and came back at regular intervals to help him train. Sure enough, he stayed dry all day and would signal when he needed it. How thoughtful that was of her, to not only meet his current needs but to think ahead for his future well-being.”

Even when the patient’s spouse couldn’t be present, Fitzgibbon’s compassion shone through. “One day, when I was gone for a few hours, she found a magazine for him to look through and asked what kind of podcast or music he liked. When I returned, the country music channel was playing on the TV,” the nomination continued. “After he got up with physical therapy, she made sure to get help getting him into the chair. It wasn’t just one thing; it was the total of everything she did.”

Another nomination described Fitzgibbon as someone who truly embodies the spirit of nursing. “The staff has been good. The nurses and techs do work that requires them to do things most might not do, helping with bathroom needs and more. It takes special people to want to be nurses. Nykole is always courteous.”

Through every act of care, big and small, Fitzgibbon demonstrated empathy, professionalism and a deep respect for the dignity of her patients. Her ability to anticipate needs and create comfort exemplifies the extraordinary compassion at the heart of nursing.

“Nykole’s kindness and attentiveness reflect the very best of our profession,” said Meg McConnell, DPN, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer at UP Health System – Marquette. “She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her patients receive not just excellent clinical care, but genuine compassion and dignity. We are proud to honor her with the DAISY Award.”

 Nykole Fitzgibbon, RN, and Chief Nursing Officer Meg McConnell, DPN, MSN, RN, and Staff

UP Health System – Marquette also extends recognition to all the extraordinary nurses nominated for the DAISY Award this quarter.

• Kellen Klein, RN, Neuro, Ortho, Peds
• Madison Dillinger, RN, Interventional Radiology
• Brianne Heath, RN, Family Birthing Center
• Bronwyn Roell, RN, Hospital Supervisor
• Camrynlee Polkky, RN, Neuro, Ortho, Peds
• Savannah Koronka, RN, Intensive Care Unit
• Jessica Banasiak, RN, Medical
• Lexi Gleason, RN, Emergency Room
• Erica, RN, 5^th Floor
• Olivia, RN, 5^th Floor
• Family Birthing Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• Ellen Heath, RN, Rehab
• Elizabeth Schloesser, RN, Neuro, Ortho, Peds
• Jennifer Campbell, RN, Emergency Department
• Natalie Swick, RN, Intensive Care Unit

The DAISY Foundation was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses during his illness inspired the foundation and its global effort to honor and thank nurses for their skill and compassion. (DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.)

 Nykole Fitzgibbon, RN, is pictured with some of the staff during the DAISY Award presentation
at UP Health System – Marquette.

Patients, families or colleagues may nominate nurses for the DAISY Award. Nominations are reviewed by a committee at UP Health System – Marquette, and honorees are celebrated during a formal presentation attended by peers, leadership and family. Each DAISY Award recipient receives a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a hand-carved sculpture titled A Healer’s Touch, created by artists of the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe.

To nominate a nurse for the DAISY Award, visit our website. To learn more about the DAISY Foundation, go to www.daisyfoundation.org.