Sister Amy Williams, a nurse in the neuro trauma unit at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., was presented with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in February. The certificate that accompanies the award 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.”
Sister Amy was nominated by one of her coworkers for the award that is given out monthly through an organization called The Daisy Foundation. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The foundation was formed in 1999 by the family of Pat Barnes to keep Pat’s spirit alive and to honor the compassionate care he received from his nurses during his eight-week illness. Pat died at the age of 33.
A statue entitled A Healer’s Touch was presented to Sister Amy. The statue is carved out of stone by artists from a desperately poor tribe in Zimbabwe, as a way to financially support the artists and their extended families.
Sister Amy and all of her colleagues in the neuro trauma unit enjoyed a cupcake in the shape of a daisy to celebrate the occasion.