Extraordinary Nurses Recognized at UP Health System – Portage

The DAISY Foundation is a non-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes and stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System (DAISY).

Nurses at UP Health System – Portage are being honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day.

The DAISY Award recipient for this quarter is Shannon Koski, RN, a nurse who works on the Medical Surgical Floor at UP Health System – Portage. 

“I was admitted to the inpatient unit and Shannon came down to the ED to take me to my room. She was very pleasant and friendly and checked me in. On that day I was feeling really down, Shannon came in and changed the location of my IV  — which she was able to do pain-free, while also putting me at ease and making me feel better in my mind. I believe that Shannon was the best nurse I have ever had. I am thankful Shannon was my nurse, especially on that day when I needed a kind and compassionate caregiver,” stated a Houghton County resident.

UP Health System – Portage would like to also recognize the team of nurses who were nominated for the DAISY award:

• Leanna Pennala, RN
• Josh Larson, RN
• Brenn Juntunen, RN
• Kristin Mattson, RN
• Eric Lasanen, RN

The DAISY Foundation is a non-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 their patients and patient families.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at UP Health System – Portage to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the Honoree’s 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 beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

To nominate an extraordinary nurse with a DAISY nomination, visit UPHealthSystem.com/Daisy-Award. For more information on the DAISY award, please visit the DAISY Foundation website at http://DAISYfoundation.org