Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), a vital and innovative community health system that serves Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston’s metro-north communities, has honored Jeff Ziegler, a North End resident, with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award, established by the national nonprofit DAISY Foundation, recognizes the extraordinary efforts nurses make in the lives of patients and their families every day.
Jeff Ziegler, RN, an emergency nurse at CHA Cambridge Hospital, was also praised for going above and beyond as well as anticipating the wants and needs of patients and families and responding promptly. A nominator noted one instance earlier this year when he delivered exceptional care to a mother whose five-month-old baby experienced cardiac arrest. He held the mother’s hand, helped locate family to be with her, and worked with Maternity staff to get a memory book to give to her. The nominator said that Mr. Ziegler’s “kindness and compassion … will never be forgotten by that mother.”
Each quarter, CHA will present two DAISY awards based on nominations submitted online by patients, peers, and other staff (http://www.challiance.org/Careers/DaisyAward.aspx). Submissions are evaluated by a panel of nurses based on criteria provided by the DAISY Foundation.
The nonprofit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, Calif., was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired Barnes’ family members to establish the DAISY Award to thank nurses across the country for making a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families. For a complete listing of hospitals currently running the program, please go to http://DAISYfoundation.org/.
Cambridge Health Alliance is a vital and innovative community health system that provides essential services to Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston’s metro-north communities. It includes three hospital campuses, a network of primary care and specialty practices, and the Cambridge Public Health Dept. CHA is a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate and is also affiliated with Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Tufts University School of Medicine. For more information, visit www.challiance.org.
