“A Healer’s Touch” DaVita Northwood Dialysis nurse honored with DAISY award
Cindy Barber, nephrology nurse at DaVita Northwood Dialysis, was recently honored with The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses during National Nurses Week. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the extraordinary efforts nurses deliver every day.
DaVita leaders, fellow care team members and patients celebrated Barber for her continuous efforts to go above and beyond to care for her dialysis patients and other DaVita teammates.
After experiencing a neurological medical condition, Barber embarked on a long journey back to nursing. She joined DaVita Northwood, where she regained her skills and confidence, while supporting patients facing significant challenges.
Barber is known as a calming influence in her center and as a staff member other DaVita teammates are excited to work with. They lauded her perseverance, willingness to grow and spend time doing the right things, which have made a difference in the Northwood dialysis center and other DaVita centers in the region.
For their commitment to respecting, encouraging and empathizing with each patient’s kidney care journey, DaVita’s DAISY award honorees received a personalized “Extraordinary Nurse” certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a hand-carved sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.”
“In Italian, DaVita means ‘to give life,’ which is exactly what our nurses do every day,” said Tina Livaudais, chief nursing officer for DaVita. “Each of our DAISY recipients is committed to nursing excellence and dedicated to compassionate patient care. I’m proud to celebrate this achievement and the many ways DaVita nurses positively impact our patients, their loved ones and their surrounding communities every day."
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, doctor of humane letters and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation, said, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet, these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at DaVita are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
DaVita strives to create an environment of nursing and technician excellence through numerous growth programs. To learn more about how DaVita supports its nurses throughout their career, Careers.DaVita.com.