Kathie Krause celebrates with well-wishers at the surprise ceremony in which she was given a DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo by Erin O. Smith
Kathie Krause, MSN, RN, NNP-BC, NEA-BC, has presented the DAISY Award countless times to nurses at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Krause and fellow nurses present recipients with the award in a surprise festive ceremony along with flowers, balloons and a parade of colleagues.
The DAISY Award, given out four times a year across the United States and internationally, is a recognition for extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families.
She had heard of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, but never considered she might be a recipient.
Krause, who is retiring at the end of March, recently participated in one last DAISY Award presentation/celebration. But this time she wasn’t in on the surprise. She served as chief nursing officer of Monroe Carell from 2015 until the end of February but will stay on for the CNO transition period through March.
In a twist of events, Krause was given a DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, created to recognize those nurses who have devoted their life’s work to the compassionate care of others.
She was nominated by Andrea Hughie, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, an associate nursing officer for Monroe Carell, who wanted to recognize Krause’s four-decade commitment to caring for infants, children and families.
“Our DAISY Award committee and other nurse leaders at Monroe Carell wanted to make Kathie’s last day as our CNO special. I called The DAISY Foundation regional director for guidance about a special way to honor Kathie, and she suggested the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. Kathie fit all of the criteria for this distinguished award,” said Hughie.
Krause stepped off the elevator on the 8th floor of Monroe Carell and was greeted by about 40 nurses in a surprise ceremony.
“They totally got me on this one,” Krause said.
She had heard of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, but never considered she might be a recipient.
“The DAISY Award holds a very special meaning to those who both present it and to those who receive it. Presenting it to a special nurse is one of my most favorite moments as the chief nursing officer,” Krause said. “It is such an honor to recognize and celebrate the compassion, talent, expertise and kindness of the nurses selected to receive this award. Being presented the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award from the nurses of Monroe Carell has been a highlight of my career especially since it came from our staff. I am so honored and humbled to be recognized in this fashion.”
Krause was presented with a certificate, the “Healer’s Touch” sculpture, a plaque and a pin. The DAISY Award certificate for Krause reads: “To devote your life’s work to the service and care of others deserves a very special Award. To do this as a nurse deserves a very special DAISY Award! Thank you for the compassion and skill with which you have treated all of your patients, their families, and your colleagues!”
Vanderbilt University Medical Center distributes DAISY awards in partnership with The DAISY Foundation, which was formed in 1999 to honor the memory of J. Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old man who died of complications of the autoimmune disease idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Barnes’ family was moved by the care they received from his nurses and wanted to recognize them to preserve his memory. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
VUMC nurse committees determine the individual recipients. Previous recipients of the DAISY Award are here. The award is open to all licensed nurses, and anyone can nominate — including co-workers, patients and their families. Nominations may be made here.
