Lower receives DAISY Award

Bothwell Regional Health Center recently presented its latest DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to Linda Lower.

The DAISY Award is for patients and their families to nominate nurses who give outstanding, compassionate and skillful care. Lower, a Registered Nurse who currently works on 2 Southwest, was nominated by Carla Jackson on behalf of her father, Carl Zimmerschied. Zimmerschied’s wife, Nedra Zimmerschied, passed away at Bothwell Hospital on July 4.

“Linda went above and beyond to check on our mom, who was receiving comfort care,” Jackson said. “She showed extreme compassion and checked in on my mom and our family several times throughout her evening shift. She always made herself available if we had concerns despite her busy job and being on the move helping other patients.”

Lower began her career at Bothwell as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1989 before returning to school to become a Registered Nurse in 1996. Growing up with a mother who was also a nurse, Lower couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Throughout her career, the priority has always been to care for her patients and their families with compassion, in the same way she would want someone to care for her family.

“The DAISY Award is a great honor to receive,” Lower said. “The best part of my job is knowing I am making a difference in my patients’ and their families’ lives. I am forever grateful to the Jackson family for writing such a wonderful letter on my behalf.”

Megan Elwood, Bothwell Nursing Education RN, presented Lower 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 Lower’s name will appear on the DAISY Foundation website.

“Linda is a caring and humble nurse and is so deserving of being recognized with the DAISY Award,” Elwood said. “Many times, a hospital stay can be just as difficult for a patient’s family members as it is for the patient, and Linda recognizes that. She treats each family with respect and compassion, encouraging them through hard days and providing a safe space for them to grieve.”

Jackson and her father were honored to be able to attend Lower’s award presentation and see her recognized for her hard work and care.

“Bothwell is very lucky to have Linda on staff, and my family feels blessed that she crossed our path at this very difficult time,” Jackson said. “Her caring, compassionate attitude is a true blessing.”

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 and Donna Cline are previous recipients.

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