Chicago, Ill. (May 12, 2011) – Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center (SMEMC) presented Bucktown resident Flora Andaya, RN, BSN, with the medical center’s first-time DAISY Award during National Nurses’ Week (May 6 to 12).

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award is a nationwide program that recognizes nurses who demonstrate excellence through clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care, and serve as outstanding role models in the nursing community. SMEMC nursing leadership will present this award monthly to a staff nurse.

Andaya was recognized for her outstanding nursing skills and compassionate care she delivers on the medical-surgical telemetry unit. She joined SMEMC more than seven years ago.

"Flora is proactive, anticipates needs and maintains calm during unpredictable situations,” said Molly Lobo, RN, manager, medical-surgical telemetry unit, who nominated her for the award. “She works efficiently and cheerfully and constantly strives for better performance. She keeps the unit clean as if she owns the floor.”

The DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, Calif., was established in 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications from the auto-immune disease, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. The care that Barnes and his family received from nurses during his eight-week hospitalization inspired the family to create a Foundation in his memory. Through the DAISY Award, the Foundation recognizes extraordinary nurses who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people through the super-human work they do everyday.

Anday received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a hand-carved stone sculpture entitled,
A Healer’s Touch. Additionally, everyone on Anday’s unit celebrated with cinnamon rolls – Barne’s favorite food during his illness.