UP Health System – Portage Honors Hannah Ruohonen, RN with The DAISY Award

UP Health System – Portage is proud to honor Hannah Ruohonen, 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.

Hannah is a registered nurse in the emergency department. Known for her compassionate care and ability to connect with patients, Hannah recently made an impact with one patient in particular.

Here is an excerpt from the nomination:
"Throughout the evaluation, she never lost sight of the person behind the patient. She recognized my fear and uncertainty and consistently reassured me that I was in good hands. Her calm demeanor, compassionate words, and genuine concern helped ease my anxiety during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life...I had so many questions and so much uncertainty about what would happen next. Hannah continued to check on me frequently, making sure I was comfortable, informed, and supported. Despite the pain I was experiencing and the fear I was feeling, she created an environment where I felt safe. What stands out most to me is that Hannah never made me feel like just another patient passing through the emergency department. She treated me with the same kindness, patience, and compassion that she would offer a close friend or family member.... Hannah exemplifies the very essence of nursing. She provided not only excellent clinical care but also the emotional support and reassurance that I needed. Her compassion transformed a frightening experience into one where I felt comforted, supported, and never alone. I will never forget the care Hannah provided during my emergency department visit."

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

• Alicia Dessellier, RN ACU
• Sarah Manninen, RN OR
• Paula Swartout, RN Ortho Clinic
• Kirsten Erkkila, RN OB
• Stacey Lassila, RN ICU 
• Madelyn Ball, RN OB
• Karen Mattson, RN ACU
• Holly Stromer, RN ACU
• Rebecca Kerry, RN MS
• Wanda Givens, RN Nursing Supervisor
• Mary LaBeske, RN ED Director
• Pamela Hendrickson, RN ED
• Janette Pietila, RN ACU
• Lindsey Bukovich, RN OB
• Jenny Kangas, RN ED
• Ruth Storm, RN MS
• Taylor Olson, RN OB

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