McLaren Caro Region
McLaren Caro Region Daisy Award

Thank Your Nurse
What is the DAISY Award?

The DAISY Award (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) is an international program to reward excellence in the nursing profession and Caro Community Hospital is proud to be a DAISY Award Partner recognizing one exceptional nurse per year. It was established in 2000 by the Barnes family in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. The award was created to recognize the extraordinary compassion, outstanding clinical skills and personalized care exhibited by nurses every day.

The Barnes family was tremendously touched by the compassion extended toward Patrick and to the entire family by the nursing staff that they and the foundation were compelled to establish a nursing award that celebrates both professional expertise and personalized care. Toward the end of Patrick’s life, he lost his appetite and found it difficult to eat. A relative came to visit and brought a Cinnabon® cinnamon roll as a quick breakfast. Patrick asked for a piece and successfully finished eating the entire roll. He asked the relative to bring him another roll the next day and to bring some for the nursing staff as well. The comforting aroma of cinnamon and the joy the pastry brought to Patrick inspired the family to invite Cinnabon® to be part of the award program.

DAISY Award recipients personify our commitment to outstanding health care services. These men and women consistently demonstrate a dedication to excellence through clinical expertise, extraordinary service and compassionate patient care. They are recognized as outstanding role models among their fellow nursing professionals. Award recipients are recognized at a public ceremony and receive a framed certificate, a DAISY Award signature lapel pin and a hand-carved stone sculpture entitled, ‘A Healer’s Touch.’ The award recipient’s coworkers are also part of the celebration and are given cinnamon rolls.

DAISY Award Form

Patients, visitors, family members, co-workers and physicians may nominate a deserving nurse by completing this form.

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Daisy Award Winners

  • 2019 Recipient: Kristina Brown, RN
  • 2018 Recipient: Linda LaForest, RN
  • 2017 Recipient: Paula Ricklefs
  • 2016 Recipient: Christy Whetstone, RN
  • 2015 Recipient: Kim Rhode, RN

    • 2019 Recipient: Kristina Brown, RN

    Kristina Brown, RN, recently received the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for her work at McLaren Caro Region. When you think of a nurse, many things come to mind such as caring, compassionate, trusting, hardworking, and friendly. Kristina shows these characteristics and many more. When leadership rounds on our patients, they hear nothing but praises about her willingness to go above and beyond, remembering the little things, while always smiling. One particular patient stated that Kristina sat with him as he was trying to go to sleep and made sure he was comfortable. He went on to say that she made sure there was nothing needed and she came back frequently to make sure he was okay.

    Kristina has a great work ethic and is always at work when scheduled. She is willing to pick up shifts as needed. She is always willing to do what is best for the patient and does it with a positive attitude, even when the situation can be stressful. Val Saintsbury said, “A nurse dispenses comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription” and this is exactly what

    Kristina does. She never thinks twice about it and always has the patient’s best interest at hand.

    Kristina brown

    2018 Recipient: Linda LaForest, RN

    Linda LaForest, RN, recently received the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for her work at McLaren Caro Region. Linda was chosen for the DAISY Award because she is always willing to improve things in the hospital and make sure our patients are receiving the best care possible. Her willingness and dedication to our patients truly shows. She will never take a full lunch because she wants to make sure she doesn’t leave her patients for too long. She is willing to join committees to make sure we are improving our patient care. She also will never leave her coworkers short, she picks up extra shifts just to ensure no one has to work short. It doesn’t matter when we call her, she will come in days or nights.

    Linda is a great role model for the rest of the nursing staff as her dedication to McLaren Caro Region really shows by the amazing care she gives her patients and the willingness to drop everything to help her coworkers. One nomination stated: “Linda is a great role model for the nursing department. Her many years of experience shows while she is working with patients. One admirable thing about her is her willingness to be a team player. She has come in on her day off to cover countless shifts. She has been flexible with her schedule to cover both days and nights. She is adaptable to any change thrown her way and never complains. She always speaks highly of her coworkers and will give 100% no matter what.”

    Linda LaForest, RN

    2017 Recipient: Paula Ricklefs

    Congratulations to Paula Ricklefs for being our 3rd Annual DAISY Award honoree! Paula was nominated by several patients that could not say enough about her as a nurse and a person. Several people mentioned that she was very polite and confident about her work.

    One nomination that really stuck out was the following: “I was scared when I came in.” “She was great!” “She treated me with dignity, even when I had an accident.” “She went above and beyond.” “She is kind, gentle, and motherly while staying professional.” “Even after I was released she still went and got me a glass of water.”

    This is just a small portion of the many stories and comments of extraordinary compassionate care that we have received regarding this nurse. She is constantly going above and beyond to make sure that her patients are not only cared for but also making sure patients and their families have a positive experience while visiting CCH. Her nursing skills and her amazing personality have made a difference to many lives in our community. She is recognized as an outstanding role model and Caro Community Hospital is pleased to be giving this year’s Daisy Award to Paula Ricklefs.

    Paula Ricklefs

    2016 Recipient: Christy Whetstone, RN

    Congratulations to Christy Whetstone for being our 2nd Annual DAISY Award honoree! Christy was nominated by several patients that could not say enough about her as a nurse and a person. Some of these comments and stories are as follows:

    “She makes people laugh and is a really good nurse. She did a great job with everything and made sure I was comfortable, even though I was in pain. ”

    “She is the happiest nurse I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She jokes around and makes you feel comfortable and at ease. The world needs more nurses like her and she greatly deserves this award.”

    “I can literally see people light up when she is around. She is very positive and caring and I can notice a change in the atmosphere when she is working. She is an amazing nurse and definitely deserves this award.”

    “As far as I am concerned, she is the best. Her heart is in her work which means she cares. She sure made me feel more relaxed with her personality and even stayed longer to make sure I was going to get the care I needed.”

    “Christy had a patient in the ER who was very upset. She soon found out from the patient’s caregiver that she loves having the birthday song sung to her. Christy just happened to have party hats and whistles in her vehicle so she took the time to go get them and she surprised the patient by dressing up and going in and singing happy birthday to her. The patient’s eyes lit up and she was so happy! It was one of the sweetest gestures ever.”

    These are just a small portion of the many stories and comments of extraordinary, compassionate care that we have received regarding this nurse. She is constantly going above and beyond to make sure that her patients are not only cared for but that they (and their families) have a positive experience while visiting our Emergency Department. Her nursing skills and her amazing personality have made a difference in the lives of our community. She is recognized as an outstanding role model and Caro Community Hospital is pleased to be giving this year’s DAISY Award to Christy Whetstone!

    Christy Whetstone, RN

    2015 Kim Rhode, RN, Trauma Coordinator

    Congratulations to Kim Rhode for being our 1st DAISY Award honoree! Kim was nominated by a patient that could not say enough about her as a nurse and a person. This patient came in to the Emergency Department after a traumatic event and received exceptional and compassionate care. Not only were her medical needs addressed but Kim paid close attention to her emotional and psychological needs as well by making sure she had a smile on her face and brought her a hospital bear. The patient stated she couldn’t have asked for a nicer and more supportive nurse! This is just one of many stories of extraordinary, compassionate care that we have received about Kim. She is constantly going above and beyond to make sure that her patients are not only cared for but they and their families have a positive experience. Her nursing skills and her amazing personality have made a difference in our community. She is recognized as an outstanding role model and we are excited to present her with this award!

    Kim Rhode, RN