UP Health System – Portage Honors Med Surg Nurse Stacey Lassila, RN, with DAISY Award

UP Health System – Portage is proud to honor Stacey Lassila, RN, with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award is given out every quarter and is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day. 

Stacey cares for patients in the Inpatient Unit at UP Health System – Portage. Nurses and providers in this unit care for a wide variety of ill patients, patients who may have undergone surgery, or may have a complex diagnosis or disease that is causing them to stay overnight in the hospital. Below is her nomination that came from a family member of a patient in Stacey's care: 

"Stacey has been a ray of sunshine on our gloomy days. Stacey is thorough, thoughtful, and patient. Stacey took time to explain the same thing to each of our family members as we came and went….and we can be a handful. Stacey ensured my daughter's comfort and was always smiling, which is calming during high-stress situations. Even when Stacey was not my daughter's nurse and we saw each other in the hall, she made a point to stop and ask how she is doing. I have overheard conversations in the hall where Stacey has taken control of situations, and her confidence is comforting. All of the nurses have been doing an amazing job, but Stacey’s care has really stood out."

Stacey receiving a DAISY pin, courtesy of Employee Health Nurse & Clinical Educator Brandy Kari. 

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

• Grace Howard, RN
• Lisa Poyhonen, RN
• Heidi Hietala, RN
• Ashley Chamberlain, CNM
• Lacy Wuebben, RN
• Lisa Piettila, RN
• Kristine Lewis, RN
• Evan Hyrkas, RN
• Katrina Helminen, RN

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.

Stacey with UP Health System – Portage Chief Nursing Officer Deb Young, Director of Acute Care Services Kevin Keranen, and Director of Patient Services Casey Baird. 

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.”

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.