DAISY Award honors nurse for providing exceptional patient care with tough love, compassion

March 5, 2025 -- February's DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® at Reid Health recognizes a unique bond between colleagues brought together during a critical illness and deep appreciation for the "tough love" and unwavering care one nurse provided.

Hayley Ginder, RN, Nursing Critical Care, was presented with Reid's DAISY Award for her exceptional care and compassion on Feb. 28.

Reid's program is part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. Patients, families, colleagues, and community members can submit nominations for nurses to receive the recognition. A committee of colleagues selects the recipient during a blind review process.

Ginder was nominated by RJ Grill, a critical care patient and a Nursing Care Assistant for the Nursing Critical Care unit.

"I was on a ventilator for multiple days, and my family couldn't stop bragging about the care Hayley provided," Grill wrote in his nomination.

"The day I was extubated, Hayley was there. My anxiety caused my heart rate to climb, making it difficult for them to extubate me. Hayley was determined to help get me off the ventilator. She stayed by my side and gave me some tough love to help get me to calm down. And it worked."

Grill said Ginder always had a smile on her face and treated him like a person, not just a patient. As both a patient and colleague, he's grateful for the care Ginder provides.

"I know this care wasn't the only time Hayley was phenomenal - she's phenomenal for every patient she cares for. Thank you, Hayley," Grill said.

The DAISY Award is presented monthly during a surprise celebration attended by the nominator, honoree's colleagues, family members, guests, and Reid's administration team. Each honoree receives a certificate commending their work as an extraordinary nurse and the meaningful difference they can make in the lives of others.

The celebration was an emotional moment for Ginder who felt humbled, excited, and astonished all at once. Knowing she could help Grill feel comfortable meant a lot to her, she said.

"I feel honored and blessed to be in a position to receive this recognition, though to me, I'm just doing what I should be as a nurse rather than going above and beyond," Ginder said.

The recognition feels extra special because the nomination comes from a colleague, Ginder said. Since Grill's return to work, he and Ginder continue to share a special bond.

"We've seen each other a few times since he's been back to work, and each time we just get so emotional and we just say, 'I'm so glad you're here.' I'm so glad it all worked out and he's healthy," Ginder said. "He and his family have just been so sweet."

Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer at Reid Health, said Ginder's dedication and compassionate care is an example of how nurses can make a difference for their patients.

"Her ability to provide clinical expertise and genuine human connection, especially during such a difficult moment for RJ, is what makes her so deserving of this honor," Foust-Cofield said.

A critical care nurse since 2020, Ginder joined Reid as a tech in 2016 while earning her nursing degree. In 2023, she was a Nursing Excellence Award recipient.

Ginder believes exceptional nursing takes both passion and empathy.

"I go into each patient's room thinking 'I want to give the care I would want my family to receive.' We want to make our patients' hardest days the best we can make them, even though it's not the best scenario, by showing them compassion and that there are people who care."

About the DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Award is part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Award was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family after he passed away from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received 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 is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.

To nominate a nurse for a DAISY Award, visit https://www.reidhealth.org/daisy-award.