McLaren Greater Lansing nurse Bea Yohannes 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 fellow co-worker, read as follows:
"There have been so many incidents where Bea has gone above and beyond in her job that I am unable to share them all. However, one night that comes to mind, there was a pediatric trauma coming in right as her shift ended. The baby was having a hard time breathing and I watched Bea hang around to make sure all the new and travel nurses were going to be ok. Bea had her purse in her hand and literally was ready to walk out the door.
When the toddler arrived, the resident was asking for many supplies and equipment to help the patient. It was super chaotic and other RNs were having a hard time getting a line on the toddler. Bea didn’t even think twice; she put her purse down and jumped right in, getting the line in within minutes, calling out orders and running the trauma. After the team got the toddler stable, I heard the resident thank her for staying. This is just one example of a time she has gone above and beyond."
"Bea in my eyes is a great example of what a team player is. She certainly deserves to be recognized for all the hard work she puts in day in and day out and for continually to going above and beyond daily."
Yohannes was recognized 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 people in Zimbabwe.
"I am extremely honored and humbled by winning this award; like they said during the ceremony, nursing is a team sport and all of us do our best to take care of our patients," said Yohannes. “The community looks to us to take care of them, and I don't take that lightly. My parents raised me to give back and take care of my community, and I am grateful that I get to do that in my career."
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."