Release Date: May 5, 2021
Melissa “Missy” Forschler, RN, a Clinical Research Associate in Adult and Pediatric Oncology Research was selected as the March 2021 recipient of the DAISY Award at Ochsner. The DAISY award is part of an international program recognizing the extraordinary skillful and compassionate care nurses provide to patients and their families.
Each month, the Ochsner Professional Development Council (PDC) selects 1 recipient from all nominations at Ochsner Medical Center.
Missy was chosen for this prestigious honor based on a nomination that centered around her interaction with a one year old patient and family. The child was diagnosed with an acute oncologic condition that required immediate treatment.
Missy received a call on a Saturday from a pediatric oncology provider stating the patient needed to begin therapy soon and a clinical trial was the best treatment option. The parents agreed to the trial for their child and understood enrollment would begin on Monday. Instead of having the parents face the anguish of watching their child suffer through the weekend, Missy came to work on Saturday to enroll the patient. She felt it was the right thing to do and knew how scary and difficult the situation was for the parents. What's most remarkable is this is not the only time Missy has done this to help a patient.
Missy was recognized at the Ochsner DAISY Awards Honorees Ceremony held on May 6. Cinnamon rolls (part of the DAISY tradition) were given to share with her department to celebrate with her team and co-workers.
About the DAISY Award
The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at 33 of ITP, an auto-immune disease. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases of the Auto Immune System. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, so they created this award to say thank you to nurses everywhere. The DAISY Foundation expresses gratitude to nurses with programs that recognize them for the extraordinary skillful, compassionate care they provide patients and families.
More info can be found on https://www.daisyfoundation.org/
