Psychiatric nurse wins DAISY Award

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Department of Nursing recently honored 2 South’s Nadia Sullivan, BSN, RN, with a DAISY Award. The DAISY Award, established by the DAISY Foundation, is named in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at the age of 33 from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease. The Barnes Family was inspired by the care that Patrick received and established this unique program to recognize and thank the nurses nationwide who make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and families.

Sullivan was nominated by Psychiatric Nurse Director Paula Knotts, MSN, RN, NE-BC, RN-BC, for her compassionate care of one severely ill patient. The Spanish-speaking patient was a former physician who had become ill and required many surgical procedures that lead to a profound depression. Sullivan was able to communicate with her in Spanish (one of Sullivan’s second languages), in a warm, kind and compassionate manner. Over the course of several admissions to 2 South, Sullivan bonded with the patient and was able to act as a coordinator for the patient’s family.

“Nadia’s consistent message of compassion toward this patient inspired all staff,” wrote Knotts in her nomination. “During her third hospitalization, Nadia and the team had to support this patient through the painful process of getting a court order for involuntary ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). It was a very difficult course of treatment which the patient resisted. Nadia, however, was able to get the patient to the PACU and to take medications without the use of force. She had created a strong enough alliance with the patient that the patient could accept treatment with Nadia’s help. Nadia used a lot of humor with the patient even when humor was not readily available in this profoundly depressed woman.”

Sullivan was presented with her DAISY Award by members of nursing leadership, by members of the Nursing Professional Recognition and Advancement Committee and by her supportive co-workers. “I started as a nurse only two years ago. I was a new graduate and all of you taught me so much,” she said. “Thank you so much for this award. I am very proud to be part of this team.”

To learn more about the DAISY Foundation, visit daisyfoundation.org.

BWFH DAISY nurses consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinarily compassionate care. They are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community and make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and their family members. Patients, visitors, nurses, physicians and employees may nominate a deserving nurse by picking up a nomination form in the first or third floor lobby or by completing a nomination online.