Freeman Nurses Receive DAISY Awards

Three nurses at Freeman Health System were recognized with the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award™. The award is given to registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses to recognize extraordinary efforts in delivering exceptional patient care.

Shelly Shoemaker, RN, Freeman Medical/oncology; Megan Dirteater, RN; Freeman Medical/oncology and Stacy Pryor, RN, Freeman Emergency Department received the award. Each was nominated by a fellow employee, patient or visitor. Each honoree received a certificate of recognition, a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.”

“The spirit and dedication of nurses at Freeman enables our patients to receive comfort and care on a whole-person level – body, mind and spirit,” said Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “The DAISY Award is the perfect way for our patients and care teams to recognize nurses who demonstrate excellence through clinical expertise and compassionate care.”

The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease. During his hospital stay, his family was impressed by the level of care and touched by the compassion his nurses provided not only to him, but to everyone in the family. The DAISY Award was created in Barnes’ memory to recognize nurses who make a difference in the lives of others.

Nurses do not have to care for someone with an immune system disease to be eligible for the DAISY Award. To nominate a nurse, visit freemanhealth.com/daisy-award.

Photo: (left to right) Shelly Shoemaker, RN, Freeman Medical/oncology; Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer; and Stacy Pryor, RN, Freeman Emergency Department

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2017, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman one of the top Hospitals in Southwest Missouri more than five years in a row, and the Leapfrog Group awarded Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2016 Hospital Patient Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com, facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman at twitter.com/FreemanCares4U. Follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo.