SALISBURY, Md. — Karen Milligan recently earned The DAISY Award for Exceptional Nurses at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional for her outstanding kindness to patients and families.

Her nominator said: “From the moment my son entered the Pediatric Unit, Nurse Karen has gone above and beyond to provide exceptional care and kindness to my son. Not only was she professional but treated myself and (my son's) dad with respect and a willingness to offer food, drink, showers, etc., so we could comfortably remain beside our son during recovery. Her kindness was genuine and professional. She explained every visit and treatment for my son. Karen took the time to answer our questions and provided our son with the care only an exceptional nurse and human being could. TidalHealth is fortunate to have her among their staff. Thank you, Nurse Karen, from my son and his family.”

Ms. Milligan was honored with The DAISY Award in a ceremony before her colleagues. She received a certificate commending her for being an extraordinary nurse, which 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.” She also received a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe. 

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Mr. Barnes died at age 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Mr. Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making profound differences in the lives of their patients and patient families. 

President and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation, Bonnie Barnes, said, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet, these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the superhuman work they do. The kind of work the nurses at TidalHealth are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”