PORT ANGELES — Olympic Medical Center’s Katrin Junghanns-Royack, OMC’s ICU and telemetry director, was presented with the department’s first DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
Chief Nursing Officer Vickie Swanson presented the award, which was created by the DAISY Foundation and recognizes the “compassionate leadership provided by nurse leaders, creating an environment of care that makes a difference in the lives of their staff, patients and families,” an OMC representative said.
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of an auto-immune disease. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
Junghanns-Royack was nominated for the recognition by more than 35 colleagues, all of whom praised her for the compassion, teamwork and attention she bestows to all the staff and patients in her care.
“We are pleased to present the DAISY Nurse Leader Award to Katrin in deep appreciation of the compassionate leadership she provides,” Swanson said. “Katrin creates an environment of care that truly makes a difference in the lives of her staff, her patients and their families.”
A sampling of comments from the numerous nominations include:
“As our leader (during the COVID-19 pandemic, Katrin) has been here on the unit every day, and I mean literally every day … She puts on the extensive, oppressive PPE and hits the ground running with us.”
“Katrin always prioritizes the wellbeing of staff and patients. She believes that if the staff are well taken care of, we can take care of our patients well.”
“Without saying a word, Katrin gowned up, CAPR helmet on, and she stood by my patient holding her hand for over an hour until her heart stopped beating. She just didn’t want her to be alone.”
“Katrin is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and pitch in. Working side by side and putting in the extra hours as the rest of the staff does to meet the needs of the unit, Katrin inspires and motivates staff – she elevates our unit to a higher level.”
Olympic Medical nurses, teams and leaders may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. A cross-functional committee of health care workers reviews the nominations and selects the final nominee.
Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him as 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.” Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin and a hand-carved sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.”
For more information or to nominate an OMC nurse, visit olympicmedical.org/thank-a-nurse.
The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this award to thank for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. Find more information at DAISY foundation.org.
