Albany Hospital Presents DAISY Award to a Deserving Nurse May 18, 2023 Samaritan Albany General Hospital has partnered with The DAISY Foundation in a mission to recognize extraordinary, compassionate nurses and the care they provide to patients and families every day. DAISY is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system. Lauren Conser, RN, works in the Ambulatory Infusion Department and was surprised and moved to be the first recipient of a DAISY Award from a SAGH clinic. For the past eight years Conser has been a part of the Samaritan team — four years as a CNA and four years as a nurse. Conser was chosen from among 10 submissions. She was nominated by a patient who appreciated her warmhearted and compassionate care. The nominator stated: “My fiance was diagnosed with large diffuse B cell lymphoma in January 2022. Lauren was our nurse since day one of chemotherapy. She was so kind, patient, passionate about her work and such a positive source of energy during a really challenging time. We requested Lauren for each chemotherapy round and I can’t tell you how much we needed a dose of Lauren during this time. She was extremely informative and always provided us with the details we needed when trying to learn his disease. She celebrated during moments of success and empathized during downward trends. Her smile made us feel at home in a place no one really wants to be. The world needs an infinite amount of Lauren’s, and I can’t think of a better person to be celebrated.” A ceremony was held to honor Conser and the PRIDE — passion, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence — she shows in her work. At the ceremony Conser was celebrated by her colleagues and had a surprise visit from the patient who nominated her and several family members. She was presented with a certificate, DAISY pin and a beautiful Healer’s Touch statue created by an artist in Zimbabwe, which symbolizes the relationship between nurses, patients and families. Along with the public recognition, DAISY award winners receive financial discounts for nursing certification training; reduced tuition for continued education; conference scholarship opportunities; and are eligible for the national DAISY Award. Conser’s supervisor, Trisha Estes, describes her as a passionate nurse and an exceptional team player. “Lauren is passionate about her work as a nurse and ensuring patients receive the best care every time they walk through our doors in the infusion department. She is compassionate, caring and always goes the extra mile to ensure patients and their family are comfortable and understand the treatment plan. Lauren strives to ensure patients feel comfortable and at home in our department despite the challenges the patient may be facing with their diagnosis and treatment. She continuously finds ways to ensure patients truly feel cared about and cherished in our department. Samaritan is fortunate to have such an outstanding nurse working for the organization!” The other nurses nominated alongside Conser were Emily Parker, David Zelazek, Kyla Thompson, Becky Mccarthy, Kellie Larson, Kayla Jucutan, James Bryant, Alyssa Fox, Denise Kobe, Anna Carlson. All nominees received a pin from their supervisor. The DAISY Foundation is a nonprofit 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 autoimmune 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. To nominate an extraordinary Samaritan nurse, visit samhealth.org/DAISY. To learn more about The DAISY Award, visit DAISYfoundation.org.
