McLaren Greater Lansing nurse Rachel Mangopolous 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 patient, reads as follows: “I am the husband of the patient, Arlene, who spent the entire weekend at McLaren Greater Lansing with a severe kidney and bladder infection. I wanted to tell you how much I sincerely appreciate the professional and personal attention Rachel gave to my wife during her two and a half day stay. Through her demeanor and general positive attitude, my wife was uplifted and encouraged every time Rachel came into her room. Even on the several occasions I was there visiting, Rachel would come in the room with the unfettered attitude of keeping our spirits up, unlike anything we have observed in previous hospital experiences. Whatever obstacles or frustrations of the day she may have been encountering, Rachel had the unique ability to leave it all at the door and come in to see and talk to Arlene as if she was the only patient on the entire floor.”
The nominator went on to say, “On the day of discharge, Rachel personally got a wheelchair and took Arlene to the main lobby and waited with her while I went for our car. You may look at this as merely an everyday expectation of your nursing staff, but Rachel for us went far beyond anything we could have imagined or expected. Thank you for scheduling and allowing Rachel to become a small part of our lives for just two days. It was indeed special.”
Mangopolous was recognized by hospital leadership and coworkers as she received a certificate commending her for being an “Extraordinary Nurse” and a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
Mangopolous has worked for McLaren for two years; she works with patients recovering from strokes and cancer treatments. Growing up with her mother, who, as a nurse, was a role model, Mangopolous said she always loved helping people and science, so she felt that nursing was a good career path for herself.
“I was very surprised to receive this award as it’s such an honor,” said Mangopolous. “It’s so nice to hear that even when some days can be chaotic, my patients still feel that they are being well cared for and that I am making a difference in their experience.”
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.”