Albany Hospital Recognizes DAISY Award Recipient March 30, 2021 Samaritan Albany General Hospital (SAGH) 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. Charity Durkee, RN, in the SAGH Critical Care Unit (CCU), is the recipient of the second DAISY Award at SAGH. Durkee was chosen among 14 submissions and nominated by Debbie Moffat for the devoted care Durkee provided to her father. “From the moment my dad arrived in the CCU and we were able to be with him, it became clear he had a nurse extraordinaire,” said Moffat. “Charity seemed to just read his slightest wrinkle as possible discomfort and was constantly busy doing everything she could to make him more comfortable. She was also sensitive to us as family, offering anything to make things better. We knew my father could die any moment, but Charity made life in the CCU seem more normal, but still special. As it slowly sunk into my mind that my father was likely not recovering, Charity’s sensitive care to my father eased the transition of losing him. She was so respectful and caring in her manner. I can’t imagine how she could have improved our outlook and the situation. After her shift, it never seemed as good. Though others certainly did their job, it was never to the capacity of Charity’s friendly and caring ways. She was so very appreciated!” A ceremony was held on March 15 to honor Durkee and the PRIDE she shows in her work. She 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. “I am honored to be chosen for this award,” said Durkee. “I’m thankful I was able to provide so much comfort to a family during such a difficult time. Being able to care for patients through hard and scary times is why I became a nurse.” Durkee comes from a family of nurses and had a passion for taking care of hurt animals when she was young. She has worked with Samaritan since 2002 and started on the Medical/Surgical Unit before transferring to CCU in 2006. 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.
