McLaren Greater Lansing nurse Luke Guggemos was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the exceptional care nurses provide every day.
The nomination, submitted by a colleague, read as follows: “Luke is an outstanding nurse who is helpful, patient, and always willing to take the time to teach/explain something to someone with questions. He flexes his schedule to help meet most staffing needs from day to nights to help and always comes with the best attitude! He deserves the Daisy Award and is the perfect example of a ‘team player.’ I personally wouldn’t be as far as I am in my job or nursing school without his help and always offering to teach me something. His patients are always complimenting his nursing skills and bedside manner. He is always positive and cheerful and can be the light on some pretty dark days around here. He is more than deserving of this award. Luke has truly made his mark on this hospital, our patients, and the employees here!”
Guggemos was recognized by hospital leadership and coworkers as he received a certificate commending him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse” and a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
Having joined McLaren five years ago, Guggemos has steadily grown within the organization. He began his career as a nurse assistant before becoming a nurse four years ago. His dedication and compassion have made him a valuable member of the team and a strong advocate for his patients.
Guggemos’s interest in nursing was inspired early on by his mother, who is also a nurse. Watching her care for others helped him see the impact nurses can have on patients’ lives and motivated him to pursue the profession himself.
“What I like most about nursing is being there for patients during their most vulnerable times, sometimes their darkest hours,” said Guggemos. “I’m very appreciative of this recognition. It solidifies that I’m doing a good job and making a difference.”
About the DAISY Award
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California, was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired by this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” said Bonnie Barnes, president and co-founder of the DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the superhuman work they do. The kind of work the nurses at McLaren Greater Lansing are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”