Phillip Bass, a nurse at Merit Health River Region who works in the hospital’s surgical services department, has been named the latest recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

According to a release from Merit Health River Region, Bass was nominated “for his consistency in providing compassionate care to patients every single day, which has been observed first hand. He takes the time to relate to patients according to their situation and emotional state. Because he listens, interacts and asks questions, patients become more comfortable and relaxed before surgery.”

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the extraordinary effort nurses perform every day. The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif., 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 Thrombocytopenic 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.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of nurses at Merit Health River Region to receive The DAISY Award.

Each honoree receives a certificate 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.”

“We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in the DAISY Award program,” Merit Health River Region Interim Chief Nursing Officer Jenny Miller said. “Nurses are heroes every day.  It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.” 

The honoree will also be given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

“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,” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation. “The kind of work the nurses at Merit Health River Region are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”