The following DAISY Award recipients were celebrated recently for the compassionate care they provide to patients and loved ones. Learn more about each recipient through excerpts from their nominations.

Tom Borland

Tom Borland, BSN, RN, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Shapiro 9 East

The family member of a patient nominated Borland for the compassionate care he provided:

“I knew right away that I couldn’t have hand-picked a better nurse to be with my dad at his toughest time. Tom gave exceptional medical care and spent time educating me, even drawing diagrams to assist my comprehension. Tom had a great sense of humor and helped ease a very tough time. Most importantly, he treated my dad with dignity and unrivaled compassion. He bathed him, trimmed his beard and made him feel good.”

Jillian Barry

Jillian Barry, BSN, RN, Tower 14D

Barry was nominated by the loved one of a patient suffering from substance use disorder:

“Jill always saw the human side. She didn’t see a junkie or someone who didn’t deserve the same understanding and compassion as other patients. She listened and learned and asked questions and waited for the answer.”

According to the nomination, Barry knew when to give the patient some space and when to check in. When the patient moved to another pod, Barry asked to continue providing care, which established trust and helped the patient feel safe.