At the recent DAISY Award dinner held last Friday, OSF Saint Katharine proudly honored ten exceptional nurses for their compassionate care and dedication. Among them was Kelly Patterson, RN, from the OSF Palliative Care department, who received the Spring DAISY Award for her extraordinary service and heartfelt commitment to her patients.
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide every day. It was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away from an autoimmune disease, to recognize the nurses who made a profound difference during his care.
Kelly was nominated by her patient, Lisa MacRunnels, who is courageously battling stage four pancreatic cancer. In her heartfelt nomination, Lisa described Kelly as a beacon of compassion and strength during one of the most challenging times in her life.
“Kelly has not only provided me with exceptional care but has also brought comfort, kindness, and compassion into my life," Lisa wrote. “She comes to my home to draw blood, sparing me the exhaustion of hospital visits, and always treats me like more than just a patient."
Lisa praised Kelly's gentle bedside manner, her attentiveness, and her unwavering advocacy. From coordinating with multiple medical teams—including Mayo Clinic—to ensuring timely interventions, Kelly has consistently gone above and beyond. One moment that stood out was when Kelly recognized Lisa's urgent need for a blood transfusion and swiftly arranged for her hospitalization, potentially preventing a serious complication.
Even during Lisa's hospital stay, Kelly visited to ensure she was receiving the care she needed. “Seeing her during that time meant so much," Lisa shared. “Her presence gave me comfort and reassurance."
Elizabeth Murphy, RN, BSN, MBA, General Manager of Outpatient Palliative Care, shared her admiration for Kelly's work:
“Kelly is a fantastic nurse and a true patient advocate. She goes above and beyond for all of her patients to ensure that they have what they need. I am blessed to work with her."
Kelly Patterson exemplifies the spirit of the DAISY Award—compassionate, skilled, and deeply committed to her patients. Her recognition is a testament to the profound impact one nurse can have on a life.