Registered nurse Ninette Swanson was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Olympic Medical Center.

Created by the DAISY Foundation, the award recognizes the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day, OMC officials say.

Swanson, a medical office nurse coordinator, has been caring for patients at Olympic Medical Physicians Specialty Clinic in Port Angeles since 2015.

A patient nominated Swanson for a DAISY award and wrote: “I first encountered Ninette Swanson when I was referred by my general practitioner. I always felt like I was special in her care. She was patient when explaining all the procedures to me. I never felt embarrassed describing my symptoms to her. She let me know what to expect and what to look out for with my condition. I felt more empowered with the education she gave me.

“Due to my condition, I must make frequent visits and have a certain procedure. Because of Ninette’s skilled, empathetic support I feel I can confide anything to her. I am an extremely private person. I do not trust easily, but under Ninette’s care I am happy and stress free. When I visit the clinic, I look forward to my visits because I know Ninette will understand me and care for me.”

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.

Go to www.olympicmedical.org/thank-a-nurse for more information or to nominate an extraordinary 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. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.)

The care Patrick 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.

Get more information at DAISYfoundation.org.