BUCYRUS / GALION / ONTARIO, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Three registered nurses at Avita Health System were honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® during Nurses Week, recognizing their outstanding dedication to compassionate patient care.
The annual awards, part of The DAISY Foundation’s international mission to honor clinical skill and compassion in nursing, were presented to Janet Heydinger, RN, of Galion Hospital; Andrea “Andi” Evans, RN, of Bucyrus Hospital; and Andrea Roberts, RN, of Ontario Hospital.
Janet Heydinger, an Emergency Department nurse at Galion Hospital, was nominated by a patient and her husband for the empathy and care she provided during a miscarriage.
“My wife was in the ER…she was having a hard time. Janet…was able to sympathize with her. She showed that she cared and didn’t mind the number of times we asked questions,” the patient’s husband shared. The patient added that Heydinger’s exceptional care “made the whole ordeal much easier for me to handle.”
Andrea “Andi” Evans, a shift supervisor in the Bucyrus Hospital Emergency Department, received her nomination from a colleague after stepping in to support a fellow team member during a personal crisis.
“Her actions went far beyond her duties as a nurse,” the nominator wrote. “Andi’s vigilance and kindness may have saved a life, and she exemplifies what nursing is all about.”
Andrea Roberts, who works in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Ontario Hospital, was recognized by a peer for her strict focus on patient-centered care, specifically coordinating lab schedules to minimize patient discomfort.
“Putting patient care above all…that is amazing patient care, and we all appreciate her more than words can explain,” the nomination stated.
Avita Health System also presented three specialized leadership honors during the celebrations:
- The DAISY Educator Award: Presented to Aimee McKenzie, BSN, RN, Director of the Education and Training Center, for her leadership in preparing the next generation of nurses and students.
- The DAISY Leader Award: Awarded to Sarah Konves, BSN, RN, Nurse Manager of the Medical-Surgical Unit and ICU at Ontario Hospital, for her advocacy and staff support during a critical health situation.
- The DAISY Team Award: Awarded to the ICU staff at Ontario Hospital after being nominated by a family for the dignity and compassion shown to their brother and family during a difficult time.
“We love this time of year when we can pause to recognize our nurses,” said Kathy Durflinger, Chief Nursing Officer at Avita Health System. “These nurses and nurse leaders make a lasting impact on patients and families and help guide the next generation of caregivers. They embody our mission to provide quality care to the communities we serve.”
The DAISY Foundation was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease, as a way to thank the nursing community for making a profound difference in healthcare.
Avita nurses can be nominated year-round by patients, families, and colleagues online at avitahealth.org/daisy-award or at any Avita hospital location. Honorees receive a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved sculpture titled “A Healer’s Touch.”
