News Story Detail

The latest crop of DAISY awardees are nurses in NorthBay Health’s Intensive Care and 1600 units.

Rocio Magna-Lauth, R.N., Clinical Nurse II in the 1600 unit, was nominated by a patient who was at wit’s end, having been in a medical crisis for three days. He had been transferred from another hospital and then found himself waiting hours for a plan of care. But, he said, when Rocio introduced herself, everything changed from that point on. 

“It was late, I was exhausted, hungry and confused, stressed, as was my wife,” he wrote. “It was time to move me from ICU to another room in preparation for the next day’s procedure. I thought, ‘Here we go again.’ When I arrived to my new room, things were very busy, and I felt a bit abandoned at first. Then, my R.N. came in and with the friendliest tone and demeanor she said, ‘I’m here to help your stay be as comfortable as possible and do whatever I can to help you.’ I was amazed, and thrilled!”

He went on to say that Rocio brought “a spark of light into my gloomy situation” and lifted his spirit, making him feel important.

“She was kind and respectful in a very Rhuman way, not just because it was her duty, but she truly cares,” he wrote. He praised her for helping to settle him in and explaining all that was happening and would happen with his procedure the next morning.  “She paid close attention to details and was very diligent about every move she made around me and how she treated me, with general kindness. Wow! This really made me feel cared for,” he noted. “Rocio gave me encouragement and brightened my perspective on what the nursing industry should be about.”

He concluded his comments by writing, “Caring for others is not always easy, unless you have a heart to do so. Rocio has the biggest heart in the nursing field, she cares immensely! Thank you so very much, Rocio, for the brief time you cared for me. It means the world to know that there are nurses like you doing such a great service to mankind!”

Scott Greathouse, R.N., Clinical Nurse II in the ICU, was nominated by two members of a patient’s family.

“My mother-in-law was on a ventilator in the ICU for six days,” wrote one family member. “We were privileged to have had Scott as her nurse on several of those days. He is one of the most kind, gentle souls I have encountered. Not only is he great at his job but he was so compassionate with us through it all.” 

The family member said they left each day “knowing she was in good hands because of him!”  They noted that on the patient’s final day, Scott shampooed her hair and got her cleaned up “and his gentle touch made the tears flow even more. He is a huge asset for NorthBay.”

“My mother came in post cardiac arrest, intubated and in serious condition,” wrote the other family member. “Scott was the first nurse that we met who was taking care of my mother. I cannot say enough about how passionate, professional and knowledgeable he was toward our situation.” Noting that their mother had been in ICU for about a week before she died, the family member added, “The relationship that my family and I built with Scott over this week I will never forget.  ... Scott is a great nurse.”

A colleague nominated Collin Norville, R.N., Clinical Nurse III in the ICU, for his compassionate nature and talents as a rounder. 

“Collin exceeds the definition of an extraordinary nurse and deserves the recognition,” the co-worker wrote. “Collin provides prompt care anytime I have a concern about a patient. He collaborates respectfully with the bedside nurse and always has a positive attitude.”

The colleague described a time they were caring for a patient and needed help. “The patient was close to being transferred to the ICU and Collin, without hesitation, sat with my patient as I had to round on my other patients. He reminded her to take deep breaths on the BiPap to ensure that the proper gas exchange was effective,” they wrote. “Collin took the time to explain the patho-physiology of what was happening to my patient and also provided resources so I coul research more. While he was sitting with my patient he was able to connect with her to gain her trust and ease her.” That included putting on music for the patient and the nurse described how Collin sat and sang with her at one point.  “Collin exemplifies the mission, vision and values of NorthBay and the acute care unit is in good hands when he is on as a rounder!”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications from an auto-immune disease. 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.