The Daisy Award

Six weeks ago my granddaughter, Kathryn, was attending a Daisy Award presentation at St. Luke's Hospital/Unity Point Health Center in Cedar Rapids. She had no idea she was one of the recipients, but when she saw her family in attendance, the penny dropped.

The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses was founded by the family of Patrick Barnes, after his death in 1999, as a way of recognizing and thanking the nurses who had helped care for him during his hospital stays. To be considered for this award the nurse must be nominated by a family member of a patient the nurse has helped care for.

Kathryn's nominating family wrote about her: "Kathryn will forever hold a special place in our father's heart and in ours for the excellent care and compassion she showed and gave our father in his final days."

The Daisy statue she received, "A Healer's Touch" symbolizes the relationship between nurses, patients and families.

I don't know just when Kathryn decided to become a nurse, but by the time she was in high school, she had completed CNA training and was working night and weekend shifts at one of the care centers in her town. The above picture of her was taken by one of her high school friends who captioned it: "Kathryn, totally awesome, amazing picture." I would add "of a totally awesome, amazing woman."

After high school graduation in 2011, she enrolled at Coe College Cedar Rapids.

Receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015. During her years at Coe, she also worked at St. Luke's Hospital.

Today is Kathryn's 24th birthday. She is celebrating it with her boyfriend at the Iowa State Fair. I kidded her that her birthday cake would have a funnel in it.

As a grandma, it has been a privilege to watch her growing up, finding her place in life. I know she still has times of uncertainty, but I don't know anyone who has done a better job, as a young person, of deciding on her path and following through to achieve her goals. So, Kathryn, if you see this post, know that your G'ma R is very proud of you and very, very, happy for you.
Happy 24th; many more.