Danielle Shumway, RN, Newest DAISY Award Recipient

ECH celebrates extraordinary nurses

Before registered nurse Danielle Shumway focused her attention on caring for patients at the Au Sable Forks Health Center, she was making a difference in the lives of others on ECH’s inpatient care unit. It was here she left an indelible mark on patients and colleagues alike.

Starting with ECH in January 2022, Danielle was quickly recognized for her selflessness and kindness, always going above and beyond. So being the organization’s newest recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses^® should come as no surprise.

In her DAISY nomination for Danielle, environmental services worker Kelly Petrie shared, “Though doing so is not in her job description, I have watched Danielle give patients baths, feed them and assist the environmental service crew in their duties when they are overwhelmed.”

Always present, Danielle is quick to lend a hand and share a kind word. Petrie said, “She smiles constantly, regardless of the day she is having. And as soon as she hears a patient in need; no matter if they are hers or not; she runs to their aid without pause.”

Chief Nursing Officer Julie Tromblee, RN, said “Danielle’s meticulous attention to detail, excellent critical thinking skills and reputation as a team player are inspiring.  She undoubtedly has the ‘care gene.’  Patients can trust they will receive her full attention as well as excellent care. We are so grateful to have her on our team.”

Danielle received her nursing degree from Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing, where she was a distinguished member of the Nursing National Honor Society. Additionally, she holds a BSN from Capella University. She is a member of the UVM Health Network’s Network Information and Technology Council, an EPIC Super User for ClinDoc.

“Danielle did not just go to school for this job, she was born for it. I believe there is simply nobody more deserving of this award,” said Petrie.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

About The DAISY Award

Elizabethtown Community Hospital launched the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in early 2018 as way to recognize and reward licensed nurses for making a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients. Nomination forms and boxes are located at each of the hospital’s main entrances and online. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues.  A committee reviews nominations and twice a year, awards the honor to a deserving nurse. 

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family.  Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.)  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. More information is available at DAISYfoundation.org.