HMC's Michelle Gifford receives national award
May 16, 2025
Michelle Gifford, a registered nurse in the Pulmonary Unit of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, received the DAISY Award on May 7 for “the incredible care and compassion she showed not only to her patient—but to his family during a challenging time,” the nomination stated.
The DAISY Award is a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families, and co-workers. It is run by our partners as a way to thank nurses for the care and kindness they provide.
Nurses can be nominated by anyone. In the healthcare setting, nominations come from patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, clinicians, or staff - who experience or observe extraordinarily compassionate care being provided by a nurse. In the academic setting, nominations are submitted by students, preceptors, faculty, staff, or alumni.
The nominations are blinded and sent to an internal committee at the participating organization. The committee reads and scores the nominations using criteria that focus on compassion and fit the mission and values of each organization that partners with us. Honorees are selected throughout the year to provide continuous celebration of extraordinary nurses. Schools of Nursing usually present once or twice a year based on graduation, pinning ceremony, or convocation schedules.
After the DAISY Honoree has been selected, a celebration is planned. The Honoree’s peers, leadership, nominator, and sometimes friends and family are all invited to attend. At the presentation, the Honoree receives a certificate in a DAISY portfolio, a beautiful hand-carved Healer’s Touch Sculpture from Zimbabwe, an Honoree pin, a congratulations banner to hang in the unit (optional for schools of nursing), a copy of their nomination, a gift bag, and cinnamon rolls to share. After the presentation, the Honoree is added to the website, and the nurse is then eligible for numerous professional development, education, and wellness benefits.
Gifford’s nomination went on to state, “Michelle was great at taking care of my uncle, but I remember her most as a friend who looked out for me—always ready to offer reassurance and a hug… When my aunt, who has dementia, wandered off, Michelle made sure I was supported and everything turned out okay. Later that evening, she gave me a big hug as I left the unit. That meant the world to me.”
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