Extraordinary Nurse Recognized at Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital

Ellen Bryner, MSHEd, BSN, Acute Care Unit
Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital

Ellen Bryner, MSHEd, BSN, of Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital was recently honored with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses. This is the first DAISY Award presented at Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital. Awarded to nurses biannually at Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital, The DAISY Award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

The nomination submitted from one of Bryner’s patients read, “Many of the COVID+ patients do not realize how sick they are and that when they feel better, it is because of the work the nursing staff is doing to keep them alive. There was a patient in the ICU with COVID pneumonia, and she took care of this patient for days. During the patient’s stay, she continued to care for him every day and she worked with the utmost compassion and care. She sits with her patients and listens to them, even when her workload is huge. She jumps in to help staff by pulling meds, cleaning rooms, and answering call lights.”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick 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.

“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, CEO and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

Bryner has worked at Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital since 2016 and has been in the nursing field for 29 years.

“The patients are what truly make nursing worth it for me. During my career, I’ve spent time in desk roles, but being on the floor is what truly makes it worthwhile for me. I’ve always gravitated back to the floor because that’s where I truly feel most at home.” Bryner said.

“We are so honored to present this prestigious award to Ellen. The level of care she continually provides to our patients is unmatched, and we are so lucky to have her at  Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital. She exemplifies what it means to be a nurse, and we are so proud to have her as our first DAISY recipient,” Jennifer Nestor, Chief Nursing Officer at Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital said.

Nurses can be nominated by anyone who has been affected by their care – patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians, and staff – anyone who has experienced or observed extraordinary, compassionate care being provided by a nurse. Say thank you to a nurse and nominate them for the DAISY Award by visiting MonHealth.com/DAISY. To learn more about the DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses, visit https://DAISYFoundation.org.