Thomas Batey, a short stay nurse with Olympic Medical Center (OMC), was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

The award, created by the DAISY Foundation, recognizes the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day.

Batey was recognized for his hard work, expertise and dedication to patients he “so obviously cares deeply about,” OMC representatives said.

A patient nominated Batey for the DAISY Award, expressing how impressed they were with Batey’s bedside manner, writing, “He was professional but never compromised on being friendly, nurturing and fun … He is such an asset to OMC and deserved to be honored for his hard work.”

Batey’s full DAISY Award nomination is shared below:

“I just finished a series of iron infusions at OMC. While every nurse I encountered at the Short Stay Unit was great, Thomas really stood out. He was involved in three of my five visits. Each time, Thomas seemed to sense what I needed that day and adjusted his energy level accordingly. He was professional, but never compromised on being friendly, nurturing and fun. He always let me know exactly what he was doing or about to do and why. He listened and answered all my questions, however silly they may have been, patiently and respectfully. He brought a kindness and sense of humor to a process that could easily be tedious or intimidating.

On my last visit, the original nurse had trouble getting the IV into my small veins which have the tendency to roll. After two attempts, he asked Thomas to take over. Thomas was so understanding and compassionate as I cried a little and quickly had me smiling and ready to try again. He was able to tame my bothersome veins and get the IV in.

I was always impressed at how Thomas would remember me when I came in after three days or more and would greet me like he was happy to see me. He is such an asset to OMC and deserves to be honored for his hard work, expertise, and dedication to the patients he so obviously cares deeply about.”

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.

Visit olympicmedical.org/thank-a-nurse for more information or to nominate an OMC 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 means of thanking nurses for making a difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

More information can be found at DAISYfoundation.org.