Photo submitted to the Times Observer From left are Richard Allen, Warren General Hospital CEO, Kimberly Campbell, Daisy Award winner and Warren General Hospital Surgical Services Department nurse, and Michele Welker, Warren General Hospital assistant executive director of nursing.

Kimberly Campbell, a Surgical Services Department nurse at Warren General Hospital, has been recognized as the hospital’s 20th DAISY Award recipient for her exceptional care and compassion.

Campbell received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses recently. The DAISY Award is a national recognition program established by the DAISY Foundation to celebrate nurses who go above and beyond in patient care. Campbell was nominated by patient Emily Streich, who shared a heartfelt story about how Campbell’s kindness and professionalism made a significant impact on her hospital experience.

In her nomination, Streich recounted her visit to the Emergency Room after experiencing severe stomach pain. Following tests and bloodwork, she was admitted for further evaluation and scheduled for an endoscopy the next day. Streich described feeling anxious and uncertain about the procedure, but Campbell’s presence immediately reassured her.

“Kim came in with a smile on her face and made me feel calm and at ease,” Streich wrote. “She went above and beyond to explain what she was doing and, most importantly, she asked how I was doing. So many people just come in and do what they are told to do and leave. Not Kim. She cared about me as a person.”

Streich highlighted Campbell’s compassion and dedication, noting that she not only ensured her comfort but also took the time to thoroughly explain the procedure.

“Kim’s love for her job and her patients truly shown by her work. She made a nervous girl feel better and safe about what was going on. I cannot thank Kim enough,” Streich said.

Each DAISY Award recipient at Warren General Hospital is selected by a committee from a pool of nominations submitted by patients, families, and colleagues. The award is presented during a special ceremony attended by hospital staff, patients, and visitors.

Melissa Shaffer, Warren General Hospital executive director of nursing, emphasized the significance of recognizing nurses for their hard work and dedication.

“We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program. Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that,” said Shaffer.

As part of the award, Campbell received a certificate of appreciation, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved sculpture titled “A Healer’s Touch”, crafted by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

The DAISY Foundation was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away in 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a rare autoimmune disease. His family, deeply moved by the compassionate care he received from nurses, created the foundation to recognize and celebrate extraordinary nurses worldwide. Bonnie Barnes, president and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation, highlighted the importance of recognizing nurses for their essential role in healthcare.

“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 the super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Warren General Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

The DAISY Foundation has expanded to more than 3,900 healthcare facilities worldwide, honoring nurses in various categories, including direct care nurses, nurse-led teams, nursing leaders, faculty, and students. The foundation also supports nursing research and evidence-based practice projects through J. Patrick Barnes Grants.

For more information about the DAISY Foundation and its programs, visit DAISYfoundation.org.