In April, registered nurse Deanna Kubas was recognized for her work as a home health nurse at Olympic Medical Home Health with a DAISY award for Extraordinary Nurses, an honor designed to thank nurses for making profound differences in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Chief Nursing Officer Vickie Swanson, Olympic Medical Home Health Director Joan Warren and Deanna Thurston, Olympic Medical Home Health clinic manager, presented Kubas with the award.

Since becoming a home health nurse after graduating from nursing school two years ago, Kubas said the experience has been incredibly rewarding, even as COVID made for a challenging transition.

“I appreciate the great team support I receive from the Home Health staff, and I am grateful for the chance to get to know my patients and see their progress,” Kubas said.

A patient’s wife nominated Kubas for the DAISY award, writing: “Deanna has been very helpful as my husband is struggling with cerebral vascular disease, dementia and mobility issues. I am most impressed with how well Deanna listens and answers all of my questions. She is kind and has a good sense of humor. She is flexible and I believe she truly cares about her patients. This means a great deal to me, since caregiving can be a trying and lonely time. The Home Health folks are a wonderful service for our community. Thank you!”

Olympic Medical nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him as an “Extraordinary Nurse.”

The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.”

Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin and a meaningful, hand-carved sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.” A cross-functional committee of healthcare workers review the nominations and select the final nominee.

Go to olympicmedical.org/thank-a-nurse for more information or to nominate an Olympic Medical Center nurse.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of an auto-immune disease. The care he and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired the award. Visit DAISYfoundation.org.