Hospice nurse awarded for efforts

ST. MARYS - Grand Lake Health Systems last month honored registered nurse Victoria Bruns with the first DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Bruns is a home, health and hospice nurse in St. Marys at Grand Lake Hospice.

The international DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award honors healthcare workers nominated by patients, families and coworkers for their service in the field.

It was founded by the family of Patrick Barnes who died from complications of an autoimmune disease in January 2000 in Illinois. Following the passing of the 33-year-old, his family created the award as a way to honor his memory and thank nurses who cared for him in his final days.

The family of the late Norma Homan of Cassella nominated Bruns after she cared for Homan until her passing in April.

The Homan family said Bruns was "an angel from heaven" in their nomination.

Norma's daughter Julie and husband, Ivo, wrote they first met Bruns when Norma Homan was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer, and had declined any medications to prolong her life.

"She decided quality was better than quantity of life," Julie Homan said.

In addition to cancer, Norma Homan had suffered from other medical conditions, including Alpha 1 disease, congestive heart failure and paranoid schizophrenia. She also had a pacemaker and used oxygen. These conditions required Bruns to closely watch Norma Homan's medications.

Throughout their seven weeks of quality time, Bruns kept up with the medications, showed the family how to best administer medicine and kept them on an ever-changing medication schedule to best fit Norma Homan's needs, Julie Homan wrote.

"Victoria also kept an eye on the immediate family," Julie Homan wrote. "She always asked how everyone was doing (coping) with the day-to-day situation and watching Mom decline. She always had a positive attitude and directed us in the right direction."

"I might not have the easiest job, but it is very rewarding in its own way," Bruns said. "You tend to get a little close to some families. I saw this family all the way through the hospice journey."

This is the first year the hospital network has participated in the foundation.

Hospital health coordinator Heather Jurosic said she and staff first looked into the foundation in November after the hospital nursing practice council came to her to honor their nurses.

From there, they established a DAISY committee and three coordinators: Jurosic, and registered nurses Emily Shelby and Katelyn Everman.

The group placed DAISY nominations boxes in every department of the hospital and accepted online nominations, too. Honorees were nominated by patients, families and coworkers for their healthcare service.

During the selection process, committee members covered up the name of the nurse and family in each nomination and made their decision solely on the patient's story.

Jurosic, the family and hospital staff surprised Bruns last month with the honor.

She said Bruns was completely surprised by the honor, which also came with a merchandise bag, statue, certificate and special designated honoree pen. The nominees also receive a pen, she added.

Bruns said the DAISY award is important to the nursing community. Any nurse would agree they have really rewarding days, but turn around and have some pretty bad days, too, she added.

The award was a pleasant reminder for Bruns that she's in the right spot.

"This is why I'm here and do what I do," she said.

The award will be given quarterly. Nurses of all practices and roles are eligible for selection.

According to the daisyfoundation.org, the award expresses gratitude to nurses with programs that recognize them for extraordinary, compassionate, skillful care they provide families and patients.

To nominate a nurse for a Joint Township District Memorial Hospital DAISY award, go to daisyfoundation.org/daisy-award/thank-your-nurse-nomination.