DAISY Awards Presented for First Half of 2026
- Memorial Hospital
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
On May 8, 2026, Memorial Hospital of Chester held its DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses recognition ceremony. The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of Patrick Barnes, who passed away at age 33 from complications of the autoimmune disease ITP. During Patrick’s hospitalization, his family was deeply moved by the exceptional clinical care and compassion shown by the nurses who cared for him. Their gratitude led to the creation of the DAISY Foundation, which has since grown into an international program honoring nurses for the extraordinary care they provide to patients and families every day. DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
Nominees for the first half of 2026 were presented with a pin and certificate. The nominees included Brittany Casarez, RN and Rebekah Luthy, BSN, RN from Memorial Hospital, and Robin Bixby, LPN and Molly Ebers, LPN from the Rural Health Clinics.
Memorial Hospital’s DAISY Award Honoree for the first half of 2026 is Brittany Casarez. Brittany was recognized for saving a patients life. After a year of unresolved headaches and nausea and multiple doctor visits with no answers, the family came to the ER expecting the same outcomes. Brittany advocated for the patient by encouraging the physician to order a CT scan, which revealed a large abdominal mass. Because of her persistence, the patient was immediately transferred and had life-saving surgery the next day. The patient is now home and recovering well. “If it were not for Brittany’s dedication, attentiveness, and willingness to speak up, the patient may not be here today,” stated Kelly Jany, Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial. “Brittany’s actions exemplify exceptional nursing care, and she absolutely deserves this recognition.”
During the ceremony, Kelly Jany, expressed her gratitude to staff following the reading of nominations. “These nominations are a powerful reflection of the extraordinary nurses we are privileged to have on our team. Rebekah, Robin, Molly, and Brittany exemplify the true spirit of nursing through their compassion, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to both patients and colleagues. Their ability to listen deeply, preserve dignity during vulnerable moments, and step forward when it matters most makes a profound difference in the lives they touch. Whether advocating for life‑saving care, providing comfort during frightening moments, or supporting coworkers without hesitation, these nurses consistently go above and beyond. They represent the very best of our profession, and we are grateful for the care, humanity, and excellence they bring to our organization every day.”
DAISY AWARD NOMINATIONS
Robin Bixby, LPN
"Robin is an exceptional nurse. She shows compassion, dedication, and teamwork every day. Robin consistently demonstrates a caring and patient approach in everything she does. She takes the time to truly listen to each patient, ensuring they feel heard, respected, and comforted during their care. Robin's kindness and patience stand out, especially in challenging situations, where she remains calm and supportive. She goes above and beyond not only for her patients but also for her co-workers. She has recently transitioned her focus to working 1-on-1 with providers which she has excelled at. Robin is a supportive and reliable team member and her positive attitude and willingness to help others makes her a joy to work with. Robin shows the true spirit of nursing through her compassion, professionalism, and dedication."
Molly Ebers, LPN
"Molly is the heart and soul of nursing. Her dedication to her patients goes far beyond what is expected, and she cares for each one of them like they were her own family. Whether a patient is frightened, vulnerable, or facing one of their harder days, Molly meets them with unwavering kindness, compassion, and genuine empathy. She has an extraordinary ability to make patients feel safe, respected, and truly cared for.
Molly consistently provides deeply personal care in the clinic with the utmost dignity and respect. In moments when patients feel most vulnerable, she preserves their dignity through gentle reassurance, patience, and compassion. She never rushes, never overlooks comfort, and always ensures that her patients feel valued as people; not just as patients.
Her selflessness extends beyond patient care to her coworkers as well. Molly willingly steps in to help with even the most difficult and unpleasant tasks, doing so without hesitation or complaint. Her positive attitude and willingness to support others create a sense of trust and teamwork that elevates everyone around her.
Molly’s presence leaves a lasting impact on patients, families, and staff alike. She is an advocate, a comforter, and a constant source of strength. Through her actions, Molly exemplifies what it truly means to be a nurse, and she embodies the compassion, excellence, and humanity recognized by the DAISY award."
Rebekah Luthy
"She has taken the time to make sure my son fully understands everything. She helped him pick out food when he was finally approved to do so. He came onto this unit (Med/Surg) under some super scary situations. I have been extremely emotional. She has also made sure I am alright as well. She has definitely gone above and beyond to make sure he feels safe and aware of everything. Thank you for caring so much. You are an amazing nurse, keep up the great work. We are both extremely thankful for you!"
Anyone can nominate a nurse for a DAISY Award. Nominations may be submitted at any time, either on paper or electronically at www.mhchester.com/DAISY-nominations.
