Our KPMAS health care teams work together to give members the highest quality care and exceptional service every time, and our nurses play an integral role in the care experience. We are always looking for ways to recognize them for their tireless dedication and commitment to our members. That’s why we are excited to announce our first-ever DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses winners. Congratulations to our winners below:
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses
| Tanea Epps Bowman | Nurse, MD Clinical | Largo Health Center | Obstetrics/Gynecology |
| Marilu Christian | Nurse, VA Clinical | Fredericksburg Medical Offices | Obstetrics/Gynecology |
| Margaret F. Durbin | Nurse, MD Lead | Gaithersburg Medical Office | Pediatrics |
| Sandra K. Hussa | Nurse, VA Recovery Room, Lead | Falls Church Medical Center | Gastroenterology-Endoscopy |
| Mary Ann Rajnauth | Nurse, MD Operating Rm, Lead | Kensington Medical Center | Day Surgery |
The Daisy Nurse Leader Award
| Abraham Fritzal Abban | Mgr, HP Clinic Operatns I NOVA | Woodbridge Medical Center | Internal Medicine-Hema/Oncolgy |
| Marianne Henson | Mgr, HP Clinic Operatns I NOVA | Falls Church Medical Center | Internal Medicine-Hema/Oncolgy |
The program was established “to honor the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day.” The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick 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 their patients and patient families.
The awardees will be honored at celebrations in January and will receive certificates commending them for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” The honorees will also receive a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
Said Bonnie Barnes, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at KPMAS are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
More than 2,000 health care facilities in all 50 states and 15 countries have committed to honoring nurses with the DAISY Award. We are honored to take part in such a great program to recognize our extraordinary nurses.
“We are proud to be among the health care organizations participating in the DAISY Award program,” said Joan Gelrud, Vice President, Quality, Regulatory, and Risk Management. “Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides another wonderful way for us to do that.”
Congratulations again to our winners! For a complete listing of health care organizations currently running the program, please go to DAISYfoundation.org.
