A calm presence, quick thinking, and genuine compassion during a critical moment have earned Ed Smith Blessing Health System’s DAISY Award.
A registered nurse in the Illini Community Hospital Emergency Room in Pittsfield, Ed was nominated after assisting in the care of an infant who arrived at the hospital by ambulance. The child’s mother was in visible distress, a state heightened once she learned her child required emergency transport by Air Evac for further treatment. Throughout the situation, Ed demonstrated not only clinical excellence, but also remarkable empathy for the child’s mother during an incredibly frightening experience.
According to the nomination, Ed “went above and beyond to calmly talk with the mother,” helping ease her anxiety while coordinating closely with the Air Evac team and pharmacy staff to ensure the infant received needed medications before transport. His ability to communicate effectively and remain focused under pressure helped support both the patient’s care and the family’s needs.
What stood out most to the nominator, however, was Ed’s compassion after the transport team prepared to leave. Because the mother could not travel with her child, she was faced with the heartbreaking task of saying goodbye before the helicopter departed. After assisting with the transfer from the hospital bed to the helicopter, Ed immediately turned his attention to her.
The nomination noted that Ed “consoled the mother, assuring her that her baby was in good hands,” providing comfort during one of the most difficult moments a parent can experience. It was that confident reassurance that visibly helped ease her anxiety.
“Ed did an excellent job in an intense situation,” the nomination concluded, “especially for someone as a parent.”
Blessing Health System congratulates Ed Smith on receiving the DAISY Award and thanks him for the skill, compassion, and humanity he brings to patient care. His ability to support both patients and families during moments of crisis exemplifies the extraordinary difference nurses make every day.
About the DAISY Award
The DAISY Award is an international honor created in 1999 by the DAISY Foundation to recognize nurses for extraordinary compassionate care. DAISY stands for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System.” The family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died of an immune system disorder, began the program to honor his memory. More than 5,400 healthcare providers and nursing education programs worldwide participate in the DAISY Award program.
Patients and their family members, visitors, doctors, hospital staff members or volunteers may recognize the extraordinary care provided by nurses through a DAISY award nomination. Click here for a nomination form.