Northwest Health – Starke honored two caregivers in September. Dawn Vanderheof, RN is the recipient of the DAISY award for exceptional nursing and Cathy Rudd, certified nursing assistant, is the recipient of the PETALS award for outstanding support professionals.
Vanderheof, an emergency department nurse, was nominated by a patient who wrote that she exceeded her and her father’s expectations by going ‘above and beyond’ to make her comfortable. She added that she and her father both felt truly respected during her entire stay at the hospital.
Rudd was nominated by two co-workers who wrote that they appreciated her hard work and loved working with her. One went on to describe Rudd as a kind and thoughtful co-worker and that she always treats everyone as if they are part of her family. The other mirrored those remarks by thanking Rudd for always following through and ensuring all things get done and are taken care of each and every time she works.
DAISY award recognitions honor the remarkable work nurses do every day– wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve throughout their entire careers. It was established to celebrate the extraordinary compassion that nurses, like Vanderheof, continually provide their patients and families.
Nurses may be nominated by employees, patients and hospital visitors.
The PETALS award honors non-nursing professionals, like Rudd, for their exceptional skills and support.
PETALS award recipients can also be nominated by patients, visitors and employees.