McLaren Greater Lansing nurse Betsy Lehner 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 patient, read as follows:
“Betsy went above and beyond my expectations of what I thought care should be for a patient. Her bedside manner is the best I have seen in a long time, and she has a very calming tone and voice that makes you feel relaxed. I have never had a nurse help me after an orthopedic surgery and sit with me in case I needed help to change which is yet another thing Betsy has made my stay at McLaren more than just comfortable, and calming, she went above and beyond what my expectations are.”
Lehner was recognized by hospital leadership and coworkers and received a certificate commending her for being an “Extraordinary Nurse,” as well as a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
Lehner, who has worked for McLaren Greater Lansing for over 6 years, moved to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) a year and a half ago, where she has been able to excel in her career by giving in-depth one-one-one care to her patients.
“I’m so overjoyed and this is such a great honor,” said Lehner. “There are so many nurses who goes above and beyond and I’m grateful for being the representative of the DAISY award for PACU.”
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 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.”