On June 1, 2011, UW Health had a new CNO/CNE start, Beth Houlahan. Beth, from day one, was a leader unlike one we had previously experienced at UW Health. She was, first and foremost, a true people person who cared deeply about our patients and family, but equally about our staff. She brought a sense of joy, happiness, gratitude, and fun to the tough work we do every day in healthcare. She was always inclusive in her approach, engaging all levels of staff in shaping the environment for nursing at UW Health.
Early in her tenure at UW Health, Beth mentioned that she had brought The DAISY Award to Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, her previous place of employment. She asked that our Recognition Council explore The DAISY Award and consider bringing this display of gratitude to UW Health. It wasn't long until that exploration was underway, and the council decided YES, we want this.
In July 2012 (a short one year after Beth started with us), we had our first DAISY Award ceremony. We held it in J5/130. About 75 staff (including several senior leaders) gathered to honor Gail Hettrick, a staff nurse on B66. Beth even arranged for the founders of The DAISY Award, the Barnes Family, to attend our inaugural award. The ceremony was moving and meaningful. This launched for us through the next 7 years to today where we have continued this award that recognizes just how absolutely amazing our staff is.
For me, The DAISY Award that Beth brought to UW Health has a very deeper meaning because I once nominated someone. I nominated a nurse in TLC, Danielle Payne, who cared for my young adult cousin the day of his passing. What she did for him, me, and my family was beyond what words can describe. It took me about three months after his passing to be able to write that nomination, but doing so was a part of my healing, and just as importantly, my gratitude. Without Beth bringing The DAISY Award to UW Health, that would not have occurred. I was so thankful to have a venue to honor my cousin and to honor Danielle. I had not met Danielle prior to the day of my cousin's passing, but I will NEVER forget her. I was allowed for this to happen because Beth brought DAISY to UW Health.
While promoting DAISY has been a big part of Beth's career, that is not all that the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award is about.
The criteria that DAISY suggests for a DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award are as follows:
Distinguished career as a nurse in clinical practice, administration, education, and/or research that promote a positive image of professional nursing
Demonstrates and actively engages in the professional development of self and others in the nursing profession
Serves as a role model and advocate for nursing practice and the advancement of nursing as a professional
Advocates for the improvement of patient care and serves as an exemplar for enhancing the patient experience
Recognized by the broader nursing community as a transformational nursing leader
25+ years of service
Beth Houlahan checks every one of these boxes. She is most deserving of this award. What it has meant for our staff, our patients, our families are beyond what we can imagine—the reach is far and the impact is mighty. Beth—thank you for bringing this program to UW Health. You are remarkable and most deserving of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.