Lakeview Regional announces newest DAISY award winner

Michelle Bergeron recognized for her extraordinary compassion

Lakeview Hospital , a campus of Tulane Medical Center, has announced that Michelle Bergeron, RN, received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses during the second quarter of 2021. She received a hand-carved statue and a framed certificate from the DAISY organization. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care that nurses provide every day. "Our nurses are more than just employees doing what they were trained to do," said Jennifer Schmidt, chief nursing officer. "When life serves a devastating experience, our nurses are there with more than skilled care; they also offer the compassion to help patients and their loved ones through it, and often beyond."

Michelle, an ICU nurse, was nominated for her kindness and compassion by the surviving spouse of a recent patient. The patient was rushed to Lakeview Regional following a cardiac event and was in a coma during her time at Lakeview. After an 8-day stay, she returned home on hospice, where she passed away two days later. "Those days at the hospital were the most brutal of my life, but Michelle made my nights bearable by her compassion, kindness, and love," said the nomination. "I feel like she was an angel during this time, gently assisting me through the most difficult experience of my life. She shared her own difficult stories that she had experienced, and that was everything I needed to get myself through this. She is an extraordinary human being!"

Patients, visitors, nurses, physicians, and employees are invited to nominate a Lakeview Regional nurse for the DAISY Award. The nominee should consistently model empathy and demonstrate a caring attitude in all situations; demonstrate extraordinary clinical skills in the delivery of compassionate patient care; have a positive attitude and demonstrate professionalism in the work environment; exemplify the mission, vision, and values of Lakeview Regional; and establish a special connection with the patients and families.

The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after he died from complications of the auto-immune disease ITP in 1999. During his hospitalization, they deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Patrick and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled to say "thank you" to nurses in a very public way.

You can nominate a nurse by picking up a form at Lakeview Regional or simply fill out a DAISY Award nomination form online at LakeviewRegional.com.