Hinsdale nurse named Rogers’ newest DAISY Award winner

05/16/23 12:00:pm

Sommer Lovett, a registered nurse from the Hinsdale clinic, received Rogers’ most recent DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The recognition event took place on April 18 in Hinsdale and was broadcast live on Teams.

Sommer was nominated by a patient who says that she helped change her life by showing her kindness and warmth, and most of all, by treating her like a human being.

“She made me feel at ease, and I was able to connect with her immediately,” the patient wrote in their nomination. “Her empathy allowed me to take my first deep breath in over a month. Sommer took things slow with me and made me feel as comfortable as possible on my first day at Rogers. Sommer showed she cared and that she understood I was in terrible pain. I will never forget how she made me feel. I wish everyone had a Sommer as their nurse.”

Upon receiving the recognition, Sommer thanked her team for their collaboration.

“This a big surprise,” she said. “I’m so lucky to work alongside you and learn from you all every day and continue to deliver patient safety.”

Sommer, whose family was in attendance, was presented with a certificate, bouquets of daisies, a DAISY Award pin, and the “Healer’s Touch” sculpture. She also got a box of cinnamon rolls, which are in honor of Patrick Barnes, for whom the DAISY Award was created.

Additionally, the DAISY Award banner will be displayed at the Hinsdale clinic until the next winner will be announced this summer. At that time, the banner will be moved to that location.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do,” Chief Nursing Officer Terri Cohn told Sommer. “This isn’t the first time you’ve been nominated for a DAISY Award, and I’m really excited and proud to share this time with you, your family, and coworkers.”

Congratulations to all the nominees

A total of 24 nurses across the System were nominated for this third round of the DAISY Award program: 11 from partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient care, one from residential programs, 11 from inpatient care, and one from Admissions.

Cortney Kaan from Oconomowoc inpatient care was awarded second place for a nomination from a patient.

“Cortney changed my life,” wrote the patient in their nomination. “She was the biggest supporter as I transformed my life. I successfully discharged and completed IOP, but we can’t forget who set me up for success. I owe it to Cortney, the RN who rooted for me the most.”

Shelli Hoffstrom from the Eating Disorder Recovery adult inpatient care team in Oconomowoc was named the third-place winner for another patient nomination.

“No matter how busy Shelli is in the moment, if you’re in a crisis, need someone to talk to, or just need a warm smile, Shelli is there,” wrote the patient. “I wish I could take her home to Ohio with me, but she has more good work to do here at Rogers. I was so blessed to be cared for by Shelli, and I know her bright affect and professionalism will bless many more to come.”

Terri concluded the presentation by thanking nurses for all they do.

“Thank you for the work you do each and every day to touch our patients’ lives,” she said. “It takes a team, and I want to recognize the nurses who are there 24/7 for our patients during the most challenging times.”

Please download the award presentation slides to read the nominations in their entirety and to learn more details from the recognition event.

Rogers is among more than 5,000 healthcare organizations and schools of nursing worldwide that are committed to honoring exemplary nurses through the DAISY Award program.

Nurses are nominated by anyone who experiences or observes extraordinary compassionate care: current and former patients, family members, fellow nurses, physicians, clinicians, and other employees.

Winners are selected throughout the year by an internal committee of 17 members from various disciplines at Rogers. Employee names, locations, and programs are removed from the nomination. The committee is asked to vote for their top five, and a re-vote is taken, if necessary, to narrow down the top three.

The next round of nominations are open now. Nominations, including a detailed account of why the nurse is deserving of the honor, may be submitted at rogersbh.org/DAISY.

Visit www.daisyfoundation.org or watch a video to learn more about the DAISY Award. You may also read about our two prior DAISY Award winners, Liz Komp from Oconomowoc and Amanda VonFeldt from Minneapolis, in previous issues of the Insight employee newsletter.