Barton Health nurse receives international award for exceptional care

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Wednesday, February 5, Ashley Collard, RN, BSN, was honored by Barton Health with the international DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. A nurse in the Medical/Surgery Department at Barton Memorial Hospital, Ashley’s compassion and skill received sincere gratitude from a patient’s family, and a nomination to be this quarter’s DAISY Award® winner.

Ashley was nominated for the DAISY Award® by the family of a 15-year old patient admitted to the hospital. The patient’s family immediately understood their teenager was in capable hands, and noted how supportive and comforting Ashley was in helping their daughter set aside her fears during a frightening time. Ashley’s approach in thoroughly explaining what was happening and addressing the patient as an adult and not a child was a relief to everyone in the room. Ashley’s thoughtful communication and honoring the patient’s sensitivities and preferences made a profound difference. After being discharged, the patient and family both expressed gratitude for the respect and alliance that was felt in such a vulnerable moment of their lives.

Ashley joined Barton Health in 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Towson University, where she was on the Academic Dean's list. She has been a Registered Nurse (RN) for nearly 9 years and shares that she was inspired to become a nurse by her mother, who has been in nursing for 30 years. An avid snowboarder, rock climber, and horseback rider, Ashley shares that she enjoys working at Barton and living an active Tahoe lifestyle.

“Besides getting to know my patients and their families, I enjoy working with a great team and the learning opportunities nursing provides,” said Ashley after she accepted the DAISY® award, surrounded by her peers and Barton leadership.

“It is an honor to recognize Ashley Collard and celebrate her compassion and dedication to the field of nursing,” says Julie Clayton, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer at Barton Health. “The solace nurses bring to patients is incredible to witness, as their caring nature and skill of the profession come together to help people in our community.”

The DAISY Award® is a system of recognition across the world, celebrating the extraordinary, compassionate care that nurses provide patients and families every day. Barton began the initiative in 2019 as a way for the community to thank their nurses and express gratitude by nominating them for a DAISY Award ®. The names of nominees are withheld from a selection committee that reviews nominations to determine a quarterly winner. Each DAISY Award® recipient is honored as an “Extraordinary Nurse” and receives a certificate, DAISY Award® pin, a hand-carved sculpture and cinnamon rolls for their department.

Barton encourages patients and their families to learn more and nominate a nurse for a DAISY Award® by visiting bartonhealth.org/daisy.