Libby Bien, BSN, RN, works in the Hematology/Oncology unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
From the nomination
“Libby Bien was the charge nurse during my stay, and the actions she took will stick with me for the rest of my life. I have encountered hundreds of nurses, but there has NEVER been one to impact me like Libby has. She is a special, one-of-a-kind young woman who is compassionate and personable; she’s an absolute joy to be around.
“I was battling a bowel obstruction and had an NG tube placed to hopefully help move my bowels along. At around midnight, I woke up panicking, barely able to breathe or swallow with the tube in. I ended up dealing with a panic attack that was unlike anything I have ever faced in my life. I was inconsolable when Libby came in while I was waiting for the resident. She got down on her knees and sat at my bedside, holding my hand and comforting me through one of the scariest moments of my life.
“She put my care and comfort before everything else and took the tube out for me. Libby treated me as if I were her own family member. She cares about her patients, and I have never seen a nurse like her in all of my years. I can now say that Libby Bien is the nurse who has impacted me the most, and I will never forget her or what she did for me that morning.”
About DAISY Awards
The DAISY Award is a recognition for extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families.
Vanderbilt Health distributes the award 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 (ITP). 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.
Vanderbilt Health 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.
