Six Barton Health infusion nurses recognized for exceptional care

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the first time in Barton Health history, an entire nursing team was selected as recipients of The 2023 Team DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses. Barton Infusion nurses, Melissa Dahl, RN, Sierra Estrada, RN, Marla Handsaker, RN, Mindy Langevin, RN, Lisa Malone, RN, and Joelle Treanor, RN, received a recognition ceremony on January 18. The award is in recognition of the clinical skill and compassionate care nurses provide to create a superior experience for patients and their families.

The team of nurses was nominated by a patient whose ongoing experience inspired the nomination:

“I am thankful to all the staff that have helped me and have seen firsthand the ability to give comfort and care during this time. I have let [each nurse] know how much I appreciate them for what they do daily, the impact of their ability to stay so very positive, and their impact on our lives. All whom I have been in contact with have gone to great efforts to ensure my understanding and ability to go through this period.

I look forward to them being awarded The Team DAISY Award for the excellence in what they do daily.”

Infusion nurses specialize in infusion therapy, an effective strategy for treating and managing certain disease processes, including cancer and neurological disorders. Infusion nurses administer intravenous medicine, vitamins, or fluids, monitor patients' vital signs during treatments, and adjust medication as needed. In close collaboration with a patient's provider and pharmacists, they ensure all medication is delivered safely and efficiently. Infusion nurses address a patient’s emotional and physical needs while promoting healing and comfort.

Nurses may be nominated by patients and their families along with other staff and physicians, and the award recipient is chosen anonymously by a committee at Barton Health. As winners of The DAISY Award, each nurse received a certificate, a bouquet of daisies, and a DAISY Award pin. Team DAISY Awards are presented annually at celebrations often attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses.

To learn more and nominate a nurse for The DAISY Award, visit https://www.bartonhealth.org/patients-family/daisy-award/.

PICTURED ABOVE: Launa Henderson, MSN, RN (far left), and Carla Adams, MSN, RN (far right), present The DAISY Award to Barton Infusion Nurses, Sierra Estrada, RN, Mindy Langevin, RN, Marla Handsaker, RN, Melissa Dahl, RN, Joelle T.jpg