San Andreas,CA…The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses has been presented to Liesl Neuman and Jeremy Furlong, who are nurses at Mark Twain Medical Center. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program recognizing the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. Recipients are nominated by patients, families and colleagues and chosen by a committee of nurses at MTMC.

Patients Stacy and Kathleen nominated Neuman saying, “Liesl was outstanding. I felt well cared for.”
One woman’s family member posted in her obituary, “My mother’s last moments were made peaceful by the staff at Mark Twain, especially Liesl Neuman – her nurse on her last day there, an angel of mercy.”
She provided the most extraordinary care we have ever seen. Thank you so much.”

Katherine McCoy, MTMC Chief Nurse Executive, has seen Leisl in action. She notes, “I have witnessed
her create a calming environment for a patient in a difficult behavior situation, maintaining the patient’s dignity and respect through excellent de-escalation skills. Very impressive nursing!”

Patients and family members Patrick, Joanna and Peter complimented Furlong, noting, “Jeremy was always very helpful, friendly, polite and very informative. He always took the time to answer all our questions and eased us in a very difficult, confusing time. After taking care of my husband, he then turned to me and ask if he could do anything for me. 5 Stars for Jeremey! He made me feel comfortable
and safe and made sure I had input and understood my care. Jeremy kept me informed, was kind,listened, and made us feel good about the care our mother was given. He is a Great Nurse. Best experience at MTMC.”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. 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. 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.

Awards are presented throughout the year before the honorees’ colleagues, physicians, patients and
visitors. Each winner receives a certificate commending them 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 beautiful and meaningful
sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by African artists of the Shona Tribe.

Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation, explains, “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 work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Mark Twain Medical Center are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

She adds, “One day while he was in the hospital, Patrick asked us to bring him a Cinnabon® cinnamon roll — plus enough for all the nurses in his unit. With the help of Cinnabon’s franchise partners, The DAISY Foundation carries on this tradition by serving Cinnabons to all the nurses in the award recipient’s unit in thanks for everything they do for their patients and families.”

McCoy noted, “MTMC is 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 — The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that. There were over 26 nominations. We have an excellent DAISY committee at MTMC that is led by our Manager of Education, Deborah Cline, RN.”

For a complete listing of healthcare organizations currently participating in the program, please go to
http://DAISYfoundation.org

This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation in service to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing, and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.