The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33.  

DAISY is an acronym for disease attacking the immune system.
During Pat’s 8 week hospitalization his family experienced the best in nursing care and compassion provided not only to Pat but to everyone in his family.  
One of the goals set in creating a foundation in Pat’s memory was to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people by the super-human work they do.  
The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care given by nurses every day.
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center honors a nurse each quarter.  Patients and visitors may nominate a deserving nurse by filling out a nomination form.   The recipient for this quarter is Lauren Bridgers.
Lauren graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina with a BS in Nursing, and works on 4B North (Medical/Surgical) unit.  She has been recognized by the VA Medical Center’s Stop the Line (a program which promotes patient safety) and currently serves on several hospital teams and committees.
At the award presentation held on November 9th with her mother Kelly and sister Kristen in attendance, Lauren received a certificate commending her for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.”  
The certificate 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.”  She also received a daisy pin and beautiful marble sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.