Lauren Beaulieu, RN, BSN. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
Lauren Beaulieu, RN, BSN, works in Adult Medicine and Women’s unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
From the nomination
“My wife was relocated to another floor for antibiotics and monitoring of an infection she developed. Lauren and her teammate, Grace Giordano (employed as a care partner, also finishing nursing school) were an absolute godsend and blessing from the first second at the start of their shift.
We were both exhausted, and not in the greatest of headspaces. Lauren came into the room and was so kind, empathetic, respectful, and sweet to both of us. Lauren told us that they had heard some of what we had experienced and gave us their sincere condolences for our loss. When I say that, I mean truly cared, not the normal empty, ‘I’m sorry for your loss’, they went above and beyond. After they finished their rounds Lauren asked for our Starbucks orders, and said, ‘It’s not an option we are getting this for you’.
They got my wife her favorite drink, a coke for me, and returned with a fruit bowl and a gift bag that also had a beautiful card inside with personal encouraging messages to us. Lauren is what we needed during this heartbreaking time and was the first to make us smile and take our minds off stuff a little bit. I have never experienced such exceptional care and kindness.
I would like to say that they should be the standard of care for all medical personnel, but that would be unrealistic, because you can’t train or teach someone to be what Lauren and Grace were for us. They are truly exceptional people, and deserve recognition for making a difference and an impact, going above and beyond in loving and caring for people while also being skilled medical professionals. I am so thankful to them and the care that my wife, and myself received.”
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.
