See the article on Channel 10 News.

Alejandra Jimenez, a registered nurse at Hereford Regional Medical Center, was recently honored with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

An HRMC patient nominated Jimenez following delivery of her first baby, noting the support she felt during the stay at the facility.  HRMC delivers approximately 360 babies annually and provides a variety of other highly specialized services, as well as trauma care and outpatient primary care.

“Alejandra was the best nurse I had throughout my stay. I remember how incredibly encouraging she was during my labor and when it was time to push,” the patient wrote as part of Jimenez’s nomination for the award. “I do believe her support for me helped me get my beautiful son delivered so quickly. She was born to do this type of career, and I know she is a blessing to not only me but all the other mommas who deliver on her shift.”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Anacortes, Wash., 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 (ITP), 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.

“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, CEO and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation, “The kind of work the nurses at Hereford Regional Medical Center are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

“We have extraordinary nurses with overwhelming compassion at HRMC. It is difficult to choose among those nominated. The award is based on the story that touches the selection committee the most, and we are proud of the experience this patient felt particularly, because it exemplifies the spirit we intend to bring patients here in Hereford,” said HRMC Chief Nursing Officer Kay Gudgell.

For a complete listing of healthcare organizations currently running the program, please go to DAISYfoundation.org

In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 7,400 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nurses Advancing Health Equity, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, Lifetime Achievement in Nursing and through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, Medical Mission Grants their new Health Equity Grant program. More information is available at DAISYfoundation.org.