Blythedale Children's Hospital Nurse Theodora Henry, Receives DAISY Award for Compassionate Care

VALHALLA, N.Y. - March 14, 2013 - PRLog -- VALHALLA, NY  – Theodora Henry, RN, received a DAISY Award for Exceptional Nurses at Blythedale Children’s Hospital for the first quarter of 2013, in recognition of her extraordinary patient care. Henry, who was nominated by a nursing student, received the national award during a brief ceremony held at the Hospital on February 22.

"Nurses at Blythedale are dedicated to providing children and families with compassionate care during what is likely the most uncertain time in their lives,” said the Hospital’s Chief Operating Officer MaureenDesimone, RN. "On behalf of the entire Blythedale community, we are proud to honor Theo for the excellent care she provides daily to our patients.”

‘Theo’ Henry was nominated by a nursing student who described Henry as a "wonderful” and caring nurse who makes a difference in the lives of her patients. "Any child who interacted with Theo left the room with a big smile,” she wrote in the award nomination form. "Even when they were upset, they were cheered up from being around her.”

The nursing student also lauded Henry as a role model. "My whole class was impressed with Theo’s skill and her amazing patient care,” she wrote. "We will use the techniques that she used with her patients to help them feel special. Hopefully, we will one day be as great as her.”

In addition to the tender words of praise, Henry received an "Exceptional Nurse” certificate from the DAISY Foundation, a daisy pin, and a small handcrafted "Healer’s Touch” sculpture made by Shona artisans in Zimbabwe. The sculpture represents the importance of healers, and reflects the value placed on nurses by Blythedale, its patients and parents.

Henry has been a nurse for over 35 years and joined Blythedale’s Nursing Department in 2007. She works in the Day Hospital, where she is considered a leader in her role, frequently taking charge, and acting as a preceptor for newly hired Blythedale nurses. Henry resides in Elmsford, New York.

Registered nurses may be nominated for a DAlSY Award by staff, co-workers, patients or patients’ parents and family members. Winners are selected by an 11-member committee based on a list of criteria including compassionate caring, inspiration of others, resolution of patient care challenges, and establishing a caring presence and healing bond with the patient and family.

The DAISY Award, an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, is a national program that began in 2001 by the DAISY Foundation in Glen Ellen, California. The DAISY Foundation was started by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a bleeding condition in which the blood doesn’t clot properly. Deeply touched by the compassionate care Patrick received from his nurses, the Barnes family created the national DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to recognize the incredible work that nurses do every day. Focus Brands Inc., makers of Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, and AONE (American Organization for Nurse Executives) are corporate sponsors of the DAISY Awards.

For more information on the DAISY Award at Blythedale Children’s Hospital, please contact Blythedale’s Clinical Nurse Educator Linda Bove at lindabo@blythedale.org or 914-831-2433.  For more information about the DAISY Foundation, please visit www.daisyfoundation.org