Albany Hospital Presents DAISY Award to Deserving Nurse October 31, 2022 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. Jon Weatherall, RN, works in the Medical/Surgical Department and is the recipient of the fifth DAISY Award at SAGH. Weatherall was chosen from among 11 submissions. He was nominated by a patient who appreciated his calming and gentle care. The nominator stated: “Jon went above and beyond to help me during a difficult situation. My ride and place to safely recover after discharge fell through at the last minute, but Jon found me a ride through a resource partner. He treated me like a friend, and I am truly thankful for his kindness.” A ceremony was held to honor Weatherall and the PRIDE – passion, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence – he shows in his work. He was presented with a certificate and a beautiful Healer’s Touch statue created by an artist in Zimbabwe, which symbolizes the relationship between nurses, patients and families. The other nurses nominated alongside Weatherall were Karla Betts, Wayne Motal, Laura Gatham, Ricardo Lopez-Guzman, Kendra Hawk, Katrina Perry, Rea Brookfield, Shannon Phillips, Denise Kobe and Diane Clarke. All nominees received a pin from their supervisor. Weatherall’s supervisor, Misty Samard, describes him as a compassionate nurse and exceptional co-worker. “Jon is a wonderful role model for the nursing profession. The passion he has for his job is demonstrated by the dedication and extra mile he goes for his patients daily. He consistently provides calm, positive and compassionate care and meets his patients where they are without judgment. Jon is not only a standout nurse with his patients but is also exceptional with his co-workers. Approachable, helpful, respectful and someone to look up to and trust to be a resource. He exemplifies our Samaritan PRIDE statement, and we are truly blessed to have him as part of our med/surg team.” 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 nurse, visit daisynomination.org/SAGH. To learn more about The DAISY Award, visit DAISYfoundation.org.
