Cordes receives DAISY Award

Bothwell Regional Health Center recently presented its latest DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to Sarah Cordes.

The DAISY Award is for patients and their families to nominate nurses who give outstanding, compassionate and skillful care. Cordes, a Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant in Women’s Health and Newborn Care, was nominated by Haley Veale.

“In the first couple of weeks after having my baby, I was so overwhelmed and stressed,” Veale said. “When you meet with Sarah she makes you feel heard and that your concerns and struggles are validated. She helped me figure out a plan that fit my needs and goals and to regain my confidence.”

Cordes has worked in labor and delivery in Bothwell since starting her nursing career nearly six years ago. She has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant since July 2023 and works full-time as Bothwell’s Lactation Consultant providing expectant women and new mothers with breastfeeding support.

“I was surprised and honored to receive the DAISY award,” Cordes said “I am passionate about the work I do and care deeply about the moms and babies I work with. I remember visiting Haley and her husband in the hospital after they had their baby. Dr. Emery referred her to me to work through a few latching issues.

“We had a long time to talk at her first appointment and she expressed how encouraged she felt when leaving. She was doing such a great job already, and I wanted to instill more confidence and joy in her for all her efforts. To receive this award and hear Haley’s feedback means so much and beyond being grateful for my help she felt strongly enough to take the time to nominate me for this award.”

Megan Elwood, Bothwell Nursing Education RN, presented Cordes with a certificate congratulating her for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” She also received a box of cinnamon rolls, a daisy bouquet, a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. A DAISY Award banner recognizing her will hang in the unit and Cordes’s name will appear on the DAISY Foundation website.

“Sarah’s core quality is her ability to connect with her patients,” Elwood said “She has three children of her own and has had many of the same experiences that new mothers are experiencing. Her empathy, patience and understanding are what make her an incredible nurse and resource to moms. We’re fortunate to have someone with Sarah’s skills and expertise.”

Nursing mothers and pregnant women have the opportunity to meet with Cordes before and after birth for breastfeeding education, training and support while in the hospital, by appointment or at the weekly Pettis County Baby Café, a free breastfeeding support group that meets from 4-6 pm each Tuesday at Bothwell Hospital.

“In collaboration with the Pettis County Breastfeeding Coalition, we have been working to make breastfeeding support readily available and used more by new parents in our community,” Cordes said. “Along with my services provided at the hospital, we want to cultivate a culture of support and bonding in our community for moms, babies and their families.”

Veale is appreciative of the support Cordes is providing moms and parents.

“Talking with Sarah and receiving her advice made a world of difference to me as a new parent,” she said. “She is a kind, caring and genuine person and an even more amazing nurse. We are lucky to have her around.”

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses was started in 1999 in Glen Ellen, California, by members of the family of Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 of complications from an autoimmune disease. The care his nurses provided was the inspiration for the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award.

An international award, the DAISY is awarded in more than 6,000 health care facilities and schools of nursing around the world, including 39 countries and territories. Bothwell Regional Health Center began recognizing its nurses with the DAISY Award in 2018. Jessica Wheeler, Shari Thomasson, Shasta Nardi, Courtney Rumans, Sarah Plante, Connie Roll, Ronda McMullin, Sarah Fredrickson, Sherri Egbert, Leslie Shapley, Seth Stotts, Stacey Nassar, Helen Fisher, Donna Cline and Linda Lower are previous recipients.

To learn more or to submit a nomination, visit brhc.org/daisy.