Diseases Attacking the Immune System.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – Excellence in nursing was the topic of discussion when nurses and Shriners Hospital leaders gathered for lunch in the hospital board room on Thursday, July 3, for the 2014 DAISY award ceremony. Leisel Knoesen, B.S.N., was recognized for her outstanding performance in her role as an operating room nurse.

Knoesen volunteered in the surgery department at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California from 2008 to 2011 while studying nursing. After graduating from the University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing in 2011 she joined the surgical team at Shriners Hospital.

In announcing the 2014 award, Pam Cornwell, Director of Patient Care Services, described Knoesen as a skillful, thoughtful and compassionate nursing professional. "It is my privilege to have the opportunity to recognize Shriners nurses for the extraordinary roles they play in the lives of our patients and families. As the DAISY Foundation recognizes, nurses routinely extend their care beyond clinical skills and treatments. A gentle touch, a calming voice, or simply taking time to listen are just some of the little things nurses do that make a huge difference in the lives of those we touch," said Cornwell.

DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. It is the name of a foundation established by a family in memory of their son, Patrick Barnes, who died of an immune system disease. The DAISY Award was established to recognize the compassionate care Patrick received during his illness. More than 500 health care organizations are committed to honoring their nurses with the DAISY Award, which is presented in collaboration with the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) and supported by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANNCC) Magnet Recognition Program.

Bonnie Barnes, co-founder of the DAISY Foundation joined in honoring the achievements Shriners Hospital nurses. "One of the best parts of working for DAISY is the ability to travel to different facilities like yours and experience first-hand what is being done every day to make The DAISY award Program meaningful for your extraordinary nurses," Barnes said.

Her daughter-in-law, Melissa Barnes, also attended the ceremony in her role as vice president and regional program director of the DAISY Foundation.

Nurses from Shriners and past recipients of the DAISY Award shared what the honor meant to them.

"It's easy to be a really good nurse in this hospital because it's an honor to work here," said Imelda Priest, clinical case manager and 2008 winner.

"It was the happiest day of my life," said Cindy Woods, House Supervisor. "I felt so accepted."

"It is very humbling and very rewarding to be recognized by your peers," said Doney Biggs, a 2011 honoree.

Nurse manager Kathy Rosario, summed up the sentiment of the group when she said the award made her feel, "Honored, humbled and appreciative of what you have done and what this hospital allows all of us to do."

The DAISY Award program began in 2006 at the Northern California Shriners Hospital. Since then, 37 nurses at the Shriners Hospital in Sacramento have been honored for excellence in nursing with a DAISY Award.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is devoted to transforming the lives of children through excellence in treatment, teaching and research. Located at 2425 Stockton Boulevard in Sacramento, Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California provides care to children with orthopaedic conditions, spinal cord injuries, burns, cleft lip, scars from any cause, and complex surgical needs. Admission is based on age and diagnosis. For further information call 916-453-2000 or go online to shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.