UP Health System – Bell is proud to recognize Makenzie Laakso, RN, Emergency Department, 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.

As a nurse in the Emergency Department, Makenzie's day-to-day experience can vary drastically. Her level-headedness and compassion made a lasting impact on two different patients, prompting a pair of nominations to come in.

Below are excerpts from the nominations submitted on her behalf:

“My nurse was nothing but kind, caring and attentive. She never made me feel less than a person. She addressed all of my concerns and made me feel seen and valued. She was the nicest nurse I’ve ever encountered, and it truly left a mark on me. She never made me feel like a burden or like I didn’t matter. She validated how I felt and took the time to make me comfortable.”

“She did such a good job and was so kind and caring. She made it a good experience.”

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

• Ashtyn Buss, Acute Care
• Ethan Kniskern, Acute Care
• Laurie Collins, OB
• Olivia Arnsten, OB
• Sheen Zaborowske, Surgical Services
• Tabi Poupore, Surgical Services
• Linda Manninen, Surgical Services
• Dave Mallard, ED
• Morgan Skytta, ED

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.)

Patients, families or colleagues may nominate nurses for the DAISY Award. Nominations are reviewed by a committee at UP Health System – Bell, 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, visit daisyfoundation.org.