Mary Free Bed Nurse Receives Top Award For Her Extraordinary Care

A familiar face at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has just received a very big honor.

Registered nurse Desiree Zoet, who has spent 15 years caring for patients in the hospital’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, is the first recipient of the hospital’s first-ever DAISY Award.

What is the DAISY award?

The DAISY Award is a recognition program that celebrates nurses across the globe for the extraordinary compassion and skill they bring to their work.

It was created in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease. His loved ones wanted to honor the exceptional care he received during his hospital stay, and the award’s name DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.

His family knew how important great care was to him, and that’s why this award really is one of the highest honors in the profession.

Desiree was nominated by a longtime coworker in the respiratory therapy team, who described her as the definition of what the DAISY Award represents.

Her colleagues highlighted her calm leadership during critical moments, her ability to comfort patients and families during stressful times, and her unique gift for understanding the needs of patients who cannot always express themselves.

During a ceremony surrounded by coworkers and hospital staff, Desiree was presented with a certificate, a hand-carved “Healer’s Touch” sculpture from Zimbabwe, and an honoree pin.

Keeping with DAISY tradition, cinnamon rolls (Patrick Barnes’ favorite treat) were shared among her colleagues. And now, a banner celebrating her achievement will hang on the Brain Injury Rehabilitation floor until the next winner is announced.

Mary Free Bed plans to recognize nurses with the DAISY Award every quarter moving forward. For Desiree, though, being the hospital’s very first honoree underscores the remarkable impact she’s had on her patients, their families, and her team.