The Shriners Hospitals for Children-Portland has joined in partnership with the DAISY Foundation to honor nursing excellence and is proud to announce its’ first DAISY Award recipient, Susan Labhard RN, MSN - Transition Nurse Specialist.

Susan’s role is to assist adolescents in their transition into adulthood. She helps them set and reach personal goals for milestones such as college, jobs, independent living, adult relationships and obtaining adult healthcare. She is being honored with the DAISY Award for excellence in nursing because her patience, candor and thoroughness in her interactions with each patient are exceptional. She takes the time to individualize her services for each patient, going to great lengths to make sure that when they are ready to leave her care they have a clear understanding of the goals and resources available to them. “I was at a loss wondering what I would do once I got too old to be a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children. Susan helped me find who my doctor would be, she even made sure I knew how to get copies of my medical records,” commented one patient. “I had a hard time relating to kids my own age until Susan took the time to sit down with me and explain how to make friends,” commented another.

Susan is a role model for the nursing profession. She is an expert on Transitioning Adolescents with Disabilities; she is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and is the author of a chapter in the 2009 book titled “Transitioning to Adulthood with Disabilities: a Holistic Approach”.

“Susan epitomizes the definition of the DAISY Award,” said Suzanne Diers, Director of Patient Care Services/Acting Administrator at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Portland, “we are so fortunate to work with her”.