Richard Brainerd, RN, Adventist Health Tillamook Emergency Department Nurse, Receives DAISY Award

Richard Brainerd, RN, of Adventist Health Tillamook, was awarded the DAISY Foundation™ Award for Extraordinary Nurses during Hospital Week, a week-long celebration of the work of nurses and healthcare professionals. The award is given to nurses who have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional care to their patients. Brainerd was nominated by several colleagues grateful for his compassion and dedication. One colleague wrote, “Rich is a true patient advocate and dedicated mentor who leads by example and truly deserves the DAISY Award. He has calmed and comforted many patients and families in time of great need. He is very knowledgeable and goes the extra mile to solve problems and issues. No matter how busy the Emergency Department is, he goes out of his way to make sure all patients receive the best care possible.”

Several more of Brainerd's colleagues also speak highly of him. One said, “Richard is simply an amazing nurse. He is always there to help, even before you ask for it. He is attentive to his patients and devoted to giving them the best care possible.” Heather Thompson, RN and Patient Care Executive at Adventist Health Tillamook shares, “I am incredibly proud of our nurses and the great work they do to meet our mission. Rich is truly exceptional, and this recognition is representative of his dedication to our patients.”

The DAISY Award is an international award that recognizes the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care nurses provide every day. The award is named in memory of Patrick Barnes, who died of complication from leukemia at the age of 33. His family established the DAISY Award in his memory to thank nurses for their compassionate care. The DAISY Award is presented to nurses by their peers and patients with honorees selected based on their clinical skill, compassion, and dedication. The DAISY Award is now presented in more than 5,400 healthcare facilities in all 50 states and in 35 countries around the world making it one of the most prestigious awards in nursing.

Photo: Richard Brainerd, RN, shown with his loving family Logan, left; Sophia, bottom middle; wife Julie, middle; and Jaxon, right.