OTTAWA – A Registered Nurse and a Patient Care Technician were two recent recipients of the DAISY and Sunflower Awards offered by OSF HealthCare. Both caregivers were honored during a brief ceremony held on September 24, 2018.
Paula Zimmerman, RN, of Ottawa was given the DAISY Award which recognizes exceptional nurses nationwide on behalf of the DAISY Foundation. Zimmerman has been employed at OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center for 19 years and works within the Intensive Care Unit.
Judy Frye nominated Zimmerman and stated, “…Paula was absolutely a God send to us. She was most definitely caring and compassionate. We’ve experienced that with all the nurses at the hospital but Paula is exceptional, so intelligent, diligent, thoughtful and fun. We loved her so much. Paula took care of all of us – not just her patient! OSF is fortunate to have her on staff…”
The Sunflower Award, a recognition program offered to non-nursing Mission Partners with OSF HealthCare, was given to Larry Templin of Marseilles. Templin has been employed with the hospital since 2018 and currently works within the hospital’s Medical/Surgical Inpatient Department.
A patient’s wife stated, “Larry has made many trips into my husband’s room and every time he comes in he smiles, is caring and does what is needed in a calming way. Larry has cleaned up bed accidents, helped my husband get up to use the bathroom or chair and no matter what the job, Larry helped to make him less embarrassed about needing help. Knowing someone like Larry is here to help take care of my husband help me and our family feel better when we cannot be here and that he is in good hands.”
OSF HealthCare encourages patients, family members and fellow Mission Partners to recognize caregivers who have provided exceptional care and service by nominating them for an award to honor their dedication.
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