Catalina Island Medical Center salutes Olivia Mello, RN—its first ever DAISY Award winner for extraordinary nursing. Earlier this month at the Metropole Conference Room Catherine Rhyne, CIMC’s Chief of Patient Care Services spoke to an assembled group of doctors, nurses, staff members and guests about the history of the DAISY Award and island nurses.
Catalina Island Medical Center salutes Olivia Mello, RN—its first ever DAISY Award winner for extraordinary nursing. Earlier this month at the Metropole Conference Room Catherine Rhyne, CIMC’s Chief of Patient Care Services spoke to an assembled group of doctors, nurses, staff members and guests about the history of the DAISY Award and island nurses. She introduced all of the nominees individually and then shared the name of the award winner by saying, “Olivia Mello exemplifies all of the qualities with consistent compassionate patient centered care and wins the DAISY Award.” Mello received an original sculpture entitled “A Healer’s Touch.” She and the other nurses present also received a bouquet of daisies, a special commemorative certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a custom embroidered CIMC tote bag. Mello began work at CIMC in 2012. She and husband Daniel, have four children; a son, Jacob, daughter Emily and twins Lilly and Eloise. There could ultimately only be one winner but 10 other nurses were also nominated and recognized for their hard work and dedication. Honorees from the Medical Group office were Richard Huband, LVN and Lynn Valles, LVN. Also receiving DAISY nominations were Santa Dominguez, RN, Jeryl Kreie, RN, Angie Jarman, RN, Renee Ramirez, LVN, Janet Seebert, RN, Josie Vickers, RN, Rita Whitaker, RN, and Michael Ascione, RN.
Bonnie and Mark Barnes started the DAISY Foundation after their son Patrick developed an auto-immune disease and died at 33 years of age. DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
The Barnes family was awestruck in realizing what nurses do for their patients everyday. They initiated the DAISY Award because Patrick’s death left them with a desire to do something to keep his wonderful spirit alive.
There are 23 professional nursing organizations, and over 2,100 healthcare facilities (in all 50 states and 14 foreign countries) committed to honoring nurses with the DAISY Award. CIMC presents to Olivia Mello, RN its first DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses. To her and the other worthy nominees, this honor recognizes them for their compassion, nursing skill, innovation, and attention to patient safety. City Council member Cinde MacGugan Cassidy said, “I’m in awe of the compassionate care these nurses give to patients and our community. I congratulate and thank them for all they do.”
This will become an annual tradition at CIMC. Nominations were received from patients, their families, community members and co-workers. A panel read all of the nomination “stories” with the names withheld and chose Olivia Mello as CIMC’s top nurse.
For more information about island health care call 310-510-0700.
