Susquehanna Health selects 3 women
as 4th-quarter DAISY Award recipients
Three Susquehanna Health nurses recently were recognized as recipients of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Lisa Hauser, nurse with Susquehanna Health Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit, was selected after receiving two nominations, one from fellow staff member Tony Phillips, as well as another from the family of a patient.
"Lisa is a wonderful person to be around and be cared for by," Phillips said. "She is always going out of her way to provide exceptional care to her patients and help not only them but their families understand and treat their conditions."
The health care system did not release the names of the patient or her family members, but reported that woman's daughter said: "We always looked forward to seeing Lisa in the unit. With her there, we always knew she (the patient) was in good hands and would get the best care possible."
Donna Henry, nurse with Susquehanna Health Progressive Care Unit, was selected after being nominated by fellow staff member Beth Dibble, who praised Henry for her ability to consistently offer extraordinary care to patients in need.
In one case, a patient who was withdrawing from alcohol abuse had been diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. Henry helped the patient maintain her dignity in her final moments by offering a caring hand.
Martha Laird, nurse with Susquehanna Health Muncy Valley Hospital Medical-Surgical Unit, was selected after being nominated by a patient.
"Martha meant a lot to me while being cared for," the patient said. "She was there for me when I was scared and helped talk me through all of my treatment. With her, I felt special, like I had a name and mattered to her. I know I am being taken care of at an exceptional level when she is around. All the nurses I have dealt with have been great, but she stands out as one of the best."
A nurse from each Susquehanna Health campus is selected each quarter. Anyone may nominate a nurse for a DAISY award - a coworker, patient, patient's family or physician. Nomination forms are available at nursing stations and at SusquehannaHealth.org.
DAISY Awards are presented in more than 900 hospitals, both nationwide and international. Supported by both AONE and The American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program, the DAISY award program is part of the not-for-profit DAISY Foundation based in Glen Ellen, Calif. All winners are highlighted on the DAISY Foundation's website.
Geisinger exec named honorary chair for Susquehanna Valley March for Babies
DANVILLE - Lynn Miller, executive vice president of clinical operations for Geisinger Health System, has been named honorary chair of the Susquehanna Valley March for Babies. This year's event will be held May 5 on the campus of Geisinger Medical Center.
March for Babies is the largest annual fundraising event for the March of Dimes, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2013. More than 4 million babies are born in the United States each year and the March of Dimes has helped each and every one of them through research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.
As the March for Babies Honorary Chair, Miller will play an integral role in raising awareness and funds to advance the scientific research and educational programs at the core of the March of Dimes efforts to prevent preterm birth and birth defects.
"My work with the March of Dimes is a real honor especially during the Foundation's milestone 75th anniversary year. March for Babies gives everyone in our community the chance to work together for stronger, healthier babies and to make a difference in the lives of millions of families," said Miller. "Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death. In Pennsylvania alone, one in eight babies is born premature, and that's just not acceptable. It takes leaders in our community working together to ensure moms have healthy pregnancies."
Last year, the Susquehanna Valley March for Babies raised $83,000 through awareness and community support and the commitment this year is to reach $86,000.
"We are very pleased to have Lynn Miller serve as Honorary Chair," said Deborah Pollock, Executive Director for the East Central Division of the Pennsylvania Chapter March of Dimes. "Lynn will bring the same drive, dedication and passion that made her a well-respected member of the community to her efforts on behalf of March for Babies. I know her contribution will go a long way to making this year's event an unqualified success."
Susquehanna Valley residents can sign up today at www.marchforbabies.org and start a team with co-workers, family and friends. Last year, more than 900 people attended the event.
The March for Babies is sponsored nationally by Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Macy's, Cigna, Famous Footwear, Sanofi Pasteur, Mission Pharmacal, Watson Pharmaceuticals, First Response and United Airlines. In the Susquehanna Valley, March for Babies is sponsored by Service 1st Credit Union, Backyard Broadcasting, 94KX and Lamar Advertising. Geisinger Health System is the March of Dimes Pennsylvania Prematurity Partner.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
