Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital Nurse Earns DAISY Award
RHINELANDER, Wis. – Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital recently honored Terri Mickevicius, RN, with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in recognition of her commitment and patient-centered approach to care. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.
Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital DAISY Award recipients are nurses recognized for going above and beyond patient expectations by providing service with respect, compassion, and integrity; generating enthusiasm and energy while carrying out everyday duties and responsibilities; significantly making a difference and listening not only with ears but also with heart.
Mickevicius works in the Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and was nominated for the DAISY Award by a grateful co-worker. The nomination reads in part: Terri was assigned to prepare two patients this morning who were undergoing interventional radiology procedures. The first patient had been having difficulty with abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, and subsequent weight loss that seemed to have worsened exponentially over the past several weeks. Terri noticed how weak and uncomfortable the patient was getting, and she decided to ask a few more questions to try to help the patient find a solution to her worsening physical state. After talking to the patient and her family, who was present that day, Terri took matters into her own hands and made appointments for the patient to see her oncologist as well as a dietician, later that same day. Her care and concern showed an incredible amount of professionalism and compassion for this very ill patient.
In addition to managing the care she gave to this first patient, Terri then turned her attention to her next IR patient, who was even more critically ill than her first one. Terri took extra care and time to talk with this patient’s sister, who was present in the room, about all of the difficulties the patient was having while going through his cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Terri noted that this patient would not be able to tolerate either of these procedures based on his current physical disabilities. Terri collaborated the care of this patient with the physician, and the decision was made to place a PICC line as a means for this patient to receive nutrition, which he desperately needed. Terri also researched into this patient’s advanced directives and clarified this for all to see. Terri is a phenomenal RN who looks at the entire picture of her patient’s care.
Mickevicius and her co-workers were treated to cinnamon rolls which honor the memory of the late Patrick Barnes who once ate his father’s cinnamon roll when he was in the hospital without an appetite for food. He then requested one for the next day – and enough for all the nurses in the unit. The hope is that whenever a nurse smells that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they’ll stop for a minute and think of how special they are for being a nurse. Additionally, Mickevicius received an honoree pin, certificate, and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
Established in 1999, the family of J. Patrick Barnes created the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award to honor his memory with a tribute to the skillful and compassionate care he received from his nurses during his hospitalization. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, visitors and colleagues and they are chosen by a multi-disciplinary team to receive the DAISY Award.
The DAISY Award recognizes the outstanding and extraordinary care nurses provide every day. Aspirus DAISY Award winners and nominees exceed the needs and expectations of patients and families by displaying the Aspirus core values of: Compassion, Accountability, Collaboration, Foresight and Joy.