UP Health System – Portage Honors Ruth Storm, RN The DAISY Award
May 18, 2026
UP Health System – Portage is proud to honor Ruth Storm, RN, with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day.
Ruth is a registered nurse in the inpatient unit. Known for her compassionate care and ability to connect with patients, Ruth recently made an impact with one patient in particular.
Here is the full nomination:
"I was rushed to Portage Hospital after experiencing a medical emergency. I was immediately admitted where I met Ruth who was on duty. She greeted me with a warm smile, and her compassion was welcomed with hope. Ruth is compassionate, dedicated and friendly. From day one I looked forward to seeing her with her bright smile and gentle wave. She stood with me the whole way, always there when I needed her. She made sure I was comfortable and told me every step she was taking to make sure my well-being was cared for properly. She introduced me to every person that I would be working with and gave me hope that what I was experiencing would turn out positive. Her generosity and professional manner were overwhelming. She is dedicated to her profession and without Ruth it would not have been a better experienced stay. A heartfelt thank you to this RN and all those who cared for me."
- Angelica Loukus, RN Inpatient Unit (M/S)
- Hollie Stromer, RN, ACU
- Darin Hoiska, CRNA OR
- Lindsey Bukovich, RN Family Birthing
- Jenna Jurmu, RN Inpatient Unit (M/S)
- Emily Heinonen, RN ACU
- Lynette Huller, CRNA OR
- Christy Caserio, RN ACU
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 Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon 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 patients and their families.
Patients, families and colleagues may nominate nurses. Nominations are reviewed by a committee at UP Health System – Portage, which then selects the winner. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients, friends and family. Each honoree receives a certificate commending them that 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 beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.
Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, chief executive officer and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation said, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for their super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work. The kind of work the nurses at UP Health System – Portage are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”
"One of our top priorities is making sure our nurses know how valued and appreciated they are for the incredible, lifesaving care they provide every day," stated Casey Baird, MBA, BSN, RN, CPPS, chief nursing officer, UP Health System – Portage. "The DAISY Award is one way we do that and we are proud to participate in the program, as we are proud of all our nursing staff."
In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care nurses, nurse-led teams, nurse leaders, nursing faculty and nursing students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and nurses participating in medical missions.
To nominate an extraordinary nurse for the DAISY Award, visit our website. For more information on the DAISY Award, please visit the DAISY Foundation website