McLaren Greater Lansing nurse Lisa Chopp 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 co-worker read, "2020 has been an unusual year in our hospital, our state, our country, and our world. Nothing about what we have experienced in these last few months has been normal. During this period, however, one person that I have noticed and welcomed as a constant is Lisa Chopp because of her professionalism and dedication to compassionate nursing care."
Chopp has been a bedside nurse for more than 30 years and has been offered many opportunities to leave the bedside. However, she chooses to stay in patient care where she feels she can significantly make a difference in patients' lives. During her career, she has onboarded and mentored many nurses and coworkers.
"Even when she is having the most challenging day, her patient would never know," the co-worker said. "I recently heard her speaking to a very confused patient as she once again was reminding them of our safety measures. She was so professional, patient, kind, empathic, caring, respectful, and I could go on and on. I am so proud that McLaren Greater Lansing has this caliber of a nurse working in the trenches. Thank you for your attention to nurse retention. It is because of values like these we have nurses who are willing to stay doing one of the most difficult but most rewarding professions: bedside nursing."
Chopp was rewarded by hospital leadership and co-workers 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 Tribe in Africa.
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."