Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), Chicago has honored CTCA® Chicago nurse, Lauren Drysdale, BSN, RN, with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in recognition for her commitment and patient-centered approach to care. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.
Drysdale, who lives in Beach Park, Ill, and works on the surgical oncology/ intensive care unit at the comprehensive care and research center in Zion, Ill, knew that she wanted to do something in the medical field since the age of twelve when her grandfather fell ill. She recalls being in the hospital with her family, and looking around and thinking how much she wanted to help people going through such difficult times.
“While in the hospital with my Papa, I promised him that I would find work in the medical field – I kept that promise,” says Drysdale. “I chose nursing because it gives me the opportunity to work closely with the patient each and every day on a deep, personal level.”
Drysdale’s nomination for the Daisy Award came from one of her patients. In this instance, her patient expressed that she was in some physical discomfort. Drysdale took the time to listen to her patient’s needs, asked the right questions, took immediate action, and gathered the appropriate people to offer assistance. Her efforts helped lead to a positive outcome for her patient and left her with a great sense of accomplishment.
“In nursing school I learned about the Daisy Award. It’s an honor that someone thought I was ‘Daisy’ material; very humbling,” says Drysdale. “In my opinion, to be part of a patient’s journey and care for them is a precious honor. I receive an immense amount of satisfaction working with my patients and my fellow nursing peers.”
Tilly Burroughs, BSN, RN, Surgical Oncology/ICU Manager, and Drysdale’s supervisor says, “Lauren is a strong nurse. Whether it’s a patient or a peer, she always has a smile on her face. She is a great listener, considerate, and pays close attention to the details.”
Each quarter, a nurse is selected to receive the DAISY Award by an awards committee, comprised of CTCA Chicago nursing leadership and peers. At a presentation given in front of Drysdale’s nursing peers, colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors, she received a certificate commending her for being an "Extraordinary Nurse." Drysdale also received a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa
“CTCA Chicago is one of only eight percent of the hospitals in the United States that earned Magnet® designation, which is considered an industry gold standard. It is because of nurses like Lauren that we are able to achieve this type of nursing prominence,” says Jacklynn Lesniak, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at CTCA Chicago. “Lauren is a great example of why the future of nursing is in great hands; she approaches each day as a consummate professional coupled with exuberance, empathy and compassion.”
About the Daisy Foundation/Award
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick 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 Patrick 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 their patients and patient families.
"When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at CTCA are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award,” said Bonnie Barnes, president and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation.
This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation whose overall goal is to help fight diseases of the immune system. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and provides assistance to ITP support groups. More information is available on their website www.DAISYfoundation.org.