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Nursing teams are expected to bring clinical skills to work for each patient, but it’s the compassion that people remember most. No one exemplifies that more than TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s Lauren Shockley, a registered nurse, and Jackson Blake, a patient care technician.

A young patient had been in the hospital for more than 30 days, and had many difficult challenges during his hospitalization. When Lauren and Jackson discovered his 15th birthday was coming up, they gathered gifts like books, puzzles and games that he could use to stay occupied, as well as new shoes and clothes. They found a safe space outside to give him some time in the sun, and brought in his favorite foods - pizza and wings, plus, of course, a cake. It was a moment of happiness for the patient who needed it, and a true act of kindness on the part of the care team.

Shockley was honored with the Daisy Award for Exceptional Nurses, and since daisies can’t grow without sun, Jackson earned the corresponding Sunshine Award created by TidalHealth several years ago for outstanding CNAS, PCAs and PCTs. They were presented with certificates and goodies in a ceremony before their colleagues in the TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Emergency Department.

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 autoimmune 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.

President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation Bonnie Barnes said, "When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at TidalHealth are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award."