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Over the years, the DAISY Award has become popular in healthcare facilities and nursing schools not only in the United States, but across other countries as well. Currently, 4,500 healthcare facilities and nursing schools in all 50 states in the U.S. and 28 other countries, have committed to honoring nurses with the DAISY Award. DAISY, which stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, was established to celebrate the extraordinary compassion nurses provide to their patients and families.It started in 1999 after Patrick Barnes died due to an auto-immune disease. According to Mark Barnes, Patrick�s father, he and his family stayed for eight weeks in a hospital where they experienced what they called, �the best of nursing.� Unexpectedly, they were left in awe with how Patrick�s nurses delivered utmost care, displayed kindness and showed compassion in informing them of the situation to ease their minds. Their soft voices and heartfelt embraces made them feel the love nurses have for patients and their family members especially during their darkest hours. Days after Patrick�s death, the Barnes family began talking about a foundation that aims to honor and express gratitude for the exemplary gift nurses provide to patients and their families.Over the years, the impact of the DAISY Award has become deeper. It has become a strategic tool for healthcare facilities to improve nurses� job satisfaction, teamwork and pride. Furthermore, it promotes a healthy work environment, strengthens organizational culture, and aids in recruitment and retention.In coordination with Health Carousel, LLC, we are blessed to announce that Health Carousel Philippines, Inc. is now in partnership with the DAISY Foundation. This enables the company to hand out the prestigious DAISY Award to deserving and inspiring nurses here in the Philippines. According to our President, Ms. Connie De La Cruz,
�we immediately said YES, when Health Carousel LLC asked about our interest to partner with the DAISY Foundation.� She stated three reasons in doing so; first, it is consistent with our two core values of Excellence and Service, since the award promotes these in the nursing profession. Second, it is consistent with our company�s vision to raise the standards of recruitment practices in the Philippines and be an agent of change through responsible and ethical recruitment. Last and most importantly, by giving the DAISY Award, it will strengthen our higher purpose since awardees will have a greater appreciation of their profession, thus improving how they deliver care to their patients, therefore changing people�s lives.
There is no more appropriate time to start this program than this year. As our country continues to face the challenge brought about by the current pandemic, giving this award will be more meaningful to celebrate the work of nurses for all the hard work and sacrifices they have done to protect people�s lives. In addition to this, the WHO proclaimed 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, and what a better way to celebrate this by recognizing our brave and everyday heroes.Nurses, this is your year and this is for you!
