The DAISY Foundation was formed in November 1999, by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died at the age of 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The nursing care Patrick received when hospitalized profoundly touched his family, and is what led them to create The DAISY Foundation. Through the award and other programs, we honor the super-human work nurses do for our patients and families every day. DAISY stands for:
- Diseases
- Attacking the
- Immune
- SYstem

Current Winner
Bay Area Hospital is proud to partner with The DAISY Foundation to honor the compassionate care of our extraordinary nurses throughout the year. We have been participating in the global DAISY program since 2016, and have awarded several of our nurses who have been nominated for providing extraordinary acts of compassionate care and clinical excellence every day in their work with our patients.
Our Spring 2023 DAISY Award winner is Grace-Ann Nichols, a registered nurse in our Medical Care Unit.

I was brought to Bay Area Hospital via Bay Cities ambulance due to not being able to breathe. I was diagnosed with Hypoxia with a severe lung infection. This was my first experience in my 67 years of not being able to breathe. So, I had no experience or knowledge of having this kind of medical emergency. Grace has a calming and reassuring personality and beside manner which in my condition I really needed.
Grace went above and beyond in explaining to me what had happened to me. She explained in detail why I was being given the medications that were prescribed to me. She also took the time to explain to me the various medical procedures that were given to me. She was also the only nurse who informed me that my doctor had prescribed Tylenol and oxycodone for my pain. So, I suffered for two days not knowing these had been prescribed for me. She also was the only nurse who explained to me about rinsing my mouth out after the nebulizer treatments to prevent thrush which I knew nothing about. Upon my discharge, Grace explained my aftercare instructions, plus I appreciate the wheel chair ride she provided to my pick up point at the front hospital door way.
Past Winners
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2022
- Shayla Campbell, RN
- Sue Mathews, RN
- Tina Winfrey, RN
- Marsia Thamy, RN
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2021
- Emily Miller, RN
- Melinda West, Patient Care Services Clinical Manager
-
2020
- Kara Sharrai, Post Surgical Unit (PSU) Nurse
- Samantha Zilz, Wound Clinic Nurse
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2019
- Angie Webster, Director of Clinical & Professional Development
- Noah Nicolle, Rapid Evaluation Unit (REU) Nurse
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2018 - 2016
- Karla Sheets, Float Pool Nurse
- Sandra Lucatero, Emergency Department (ED) Nurse
- Craig Palen, Post Surgical Unit (PSU) Nurse
- Rose Goffinet, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse
- Tricia Smith, Medical Care Unit (MCU) Nurse
- Michael Evanson, Medical Care Unit (MCU) Nurse
- Angie Andersen, Case Management and Social Services Supervisor
Make a Nomination
Have you experienced exceptional care while you or a family member were a patient at Bay Area Hospital? Please consider nominating your nurse for the DAISY Award and telling us your story! Please see the examples from previous winners above of the kind of information we need to nominate your nurse. Other ideas include:
- How did this nurse make a special connection with you?
- Describe a situation where this nurse went above and beyond
- Share an example where extraordinary compassion was used
To make a nomination please contact Bay Area Hospital’s DAISY Program Coordinator:
Phone: 541-269-8042
Email: kayla.weatherston@bayareahospital.org
Please preface your email or phone call to let Kayla know that you are making a DAISY Award nomination. If you would like to fill out, print, and mail in a form, the form can be found here. Please mail these to: Bay Area Hospital, Attn: Kayla Weatherston, 1775 Thompson Road, Coos Bay, OR 97420.
For more information about The DAISY Award, please view The DAISY Foundation website here.