Cooley Dickinson Hospital Announces First Recipient of Nurse Recognition Program

NORTHAMPTON — Last fall, Cooley Dickinson Hospital (CDH) announced the rollout of the DAISY Awards, a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families, co-workers, and community members.

Last month, Charles “CJ” O’Neill-Abel, RN, was celebrated as Cooley Dickinson’s first-ever DAISY Award recipient. Kevin Whitney, interim vice president of Patient Care Services and chief Nursing officer, presented O’Neill-Abel with the DAISY Award pin and certificate.

“Thank you for providing extraordinary, compassionate care for this patient and family,” Whitney said. “The DAISY Award is a prestigious recognition, and receiving the first at Cooley Dickinson Hospital makes it even more special. Congratulations, CJ. And congratulations to all of the CDH nurses who were nominated.”

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) Award was founded by the Barnes family in 1999 to remember their son Patrick, who died at age 33 from complications of the autoimmune disease known as idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura. The family wanted to create a way to honor the strong relationship their son had with his nurses, and they developed this program to thank nursing staff for the exceptional care they provide.

According to the DAISY Foundation, “the DAISY Award recognitions honor the superhuman work nurses do for patients and families every day wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers. The DAISY Award is a way to thank nurses for the care and kindness they provide.”

Patients, family members, other clinician colleagues, and community members can nominate a CDH nurse for a DAISY Award. Nominations are open to anyone who experiences or observes extraordinary, compassionate care being provided by a nurse. Click here to submit a nomination.