BEE Archives

March 23, 2022April 18, 2023

Samaritan Celebrates February 2022 DAISY® and BEE Award Recipients

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for February 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support patient care.

Shawna Gilbert, a Licensed Practical Nurse at Samaritan’s Outpatient Behavioral Health Center, received the DAISY Award. Nana Antwi-Boakye, Programmer Analyst with Samaritan’s Information Services, received the BEE Award. Gilbert was nominated by Christina O’Neil, Director of Mental Health, and Antwi-Boakye by Joel Benware, Vice President of Information Services. A committee then selected them.

Gilbert was nominated for her constant drive to go out of her way to make patients feel special. The Outpatient Behavioral Health Center manager described Gilbert saying:
“Shawna makes patients feel like they are the only person in the room, and she makes their time at the clinic special, something they can look back positively on… Typically patients specifically ask for Shawna when they come in.”

In addition to her willingness to help at the clinic, Shawna has also gone above and beyond by offering moral support to a patient in need after hours, further reflecting her level of care, compassion, and concern for those she helps.

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Gilbert was presented a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse, a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this
sculpture has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Antwi-Boakye was nominated for the BEE Award by Joel Benware, Vice President of Information Services, for multiple compliments received from colleagues.
“I receive compliments of Nana’s work on a weekly basis from several very talented team members that rely on Nana’s expertise on a daily basis. He is a consultant on so many issues that the majority of Samaritan’s staff would have no idea Nana was behind the scenes in solving their issue. Quite simply, Nana is a Silent Giant.”

Antwi-Boakye was presented with a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

Both awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and nominations can be submitted by patients, families, or colleagues at any time. To make a nomination or to learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

January 28, 2022April 18, 2023

Samaritan Celebrates January 2022 DAISY® and BEE Award Recipients

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for January 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support patient care.

Katie O’Brien, a Registered Nurse in Samaritan’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), received the DAISY Award. Joshua Dalton, LCSW-R, CASAC-II, at Samaritan’s Outpatient Behavioral Health Services received the BEE Award. O’Brien was nominated by a patient’s family member and Dalton by a Samaritan colleague. A committee then selected them.

O’Brien was nominated for her compassionate care of a patient on the “last day of his life.” The family of the patient described the event in her nomination form for O’Brien:

“Katie was such a gift to my father and ultimately to our family. His end-of-life care was handled with such professionalism and perfection. She was tuned into his needs and so responsive in every way. Katie’s years of experience were evident, and I have never been so grateful for the skills of the nursing profession in my life.”

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – O’Brien was presented a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse, a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Dalton was nominated for the BEE Award by Tina O’Neill, Director of Mental Health

Services, for his willingness to go “above and beyond daily.”

“Josh’s attitude and character shine bright in the workplace, especially when days are filled with stress,” reads his nomination form. “He will always help out when needed, especially when our walk-ins are full; if he is available, he is happy to see patients. Josh has worked for Samaritan since 2016 and, since coming here, has shown his dedication and commitment to the heart values.”

Dalton was presented with a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

Both awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and nominations can be submitted by patients, families, or colleagues at any time. To make a nomination or to learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

January 13, 2022April 18, 2023

Samaritan Celebrates December 2021 DAISY and BEE Award Recipients

Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for December 2021. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support patient care.

Kelly Harrienger, RN, Float Pool, received the DAISY Award and Suzanne Haight, Clinic Office Support, Samaritan Pulmonology, was honored with the BEE Award. Both staff members were nominated by Samaritan colleagues.

Harrienger was chosen to receive the DAISY Award for her dedication to Samaritan, her patients and the community, and for her bravery amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She has helped administer many monoclonal antibody infusions, which help patients recover from COVID-19.

“During this time, as nurses flee healthcare, Kelly has stepped up and faced the storm with sincerity and determination,” her nomination letter reads. “Instead of fearing COVID, she applies her PPE, dons her N95, and commits herself to providing the best possible care. The most recent data shows that we have delivered over 520 doses, with only 4% of patients requiring hospitalization—that means 500 people with COVID who had the chance of being hospitalized were not.”

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Harrienger was presented a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse, a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture is on display in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Haight received the BEE Award for her mentorship to other staff, positivity, and compassion. Her nomination was submitted by a new staff member.

“From my very first day, Suzanne has gone above and beyond to help me settle into my new position,” the letter reads. “She is always quick with a smile, is a beam of positivity, and is always empathetic with coworkers and patients alike. She is always willing to help out, is constantly learning and teaching people new things, and I cannot imagine work without her.”

Haight was presented a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

Both awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and nominations can be submitted by patients, families, or colleagues at any time. To make a nomination, or to learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.