As the newest DAISY Award honoree, Olympic Medical Center Emergency Department nurse Wade Lauritzen heard touching words about his expertise and care in the ER during a presentation to recognize him.

Lauritzen’s nomination was read aloud, where attendees heard submissions from two patients that praised Lauritzen’s ability to make a difficult day “a little brighter.”

“He eased our fears and made us feel comfortable,” said one of Lauritzen’s nominators. “He shook our hands when he left at the end of his shift and took time to really hear our concerns.”

OMC Chief Nursing Officer Vickie Swanson and Emergency Department Director Aaron Possin rceently presented Lauritzen with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Lauritzen’s full DAISY Award nomination shared more details, including how he connected with a patient experiencing a panic attack, where the patient said Lauritzen made them feel “seen, heard, and understood. I am forever grateful for that.”

Here’s what else was said:

“We have been to the ER twice in the past two weeks for complications after a surgery my dad had. The ER is understandably a busy place with a lot of people coming and going and lots of waiting. Wade was my dad’s nurse and was the first person to spend a lot of time with us, chatting and answering questions. He eased our fears and made us feel comfortable. He shook our hands when he left at the end of his shift and took time to really hear our concerns.

We were very impressed with his friendliness and knowledge. His years of experience show. Thank you, Wade, for making one of our worst days a little brighter.”

“I came into the emergency department for the second time in two days. I knew I was having another panic attack. The moment Wade walked me back, he made sure I felt comfortable and acknowledged what I was going through. He didn’t make me feel ridiculous, he told me it wasn’t all in my head, and that I was there for a reason. He shared his story and how he found himself in a situation like mine and gave me the knowledge in what to try the next time this happens to me. He made me felt seen, heard, and understood. I am forever grateful for that. Thank you Wade, from the bottom of my heart.”

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 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 extraordinary Olympic Medical Center nurse.

About the DAISY Foundation

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 (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.)

The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

More information can be found at DAISYfoundation.org.