Evangelical Community Hospital Awards DAISY Honor for Nursing Excellence to LeeAnn Almas, RN, BSN

LeeAnn Almas, RN BSN, holds her DAISY Award for the clinical expertise and compassionate understanding she shared with a patient at Evangelical Community Hospital during his over four-week stay at the Hospital.

LeeAnn Almas, RN BSN, holds her DAISY Award for the clinical expertise and compassionate understanding she shared with a patient at Evangelical Community Hospital during his over four-week stay at the Hospital.

LeeAnn Almas, RN, BSN (second from left) holds her DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence, given to her as a result of being nominated by the sister of a long-stay patient at Evangelical Community Hospital. With Almas are Kendra Aucker, President and CEO; Kelly Solomon, RN, Director of Critical Care; and Tamara Persing, RN, BSN, MS, CIC, FAPIC, Vice President Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer at Evangelical Community Hospital.

LeeAnn Almas, RN, BSN (second from left) holds her DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence, given to her as a result of being nominated by the sister of a long-stay patient at Evangelical Community Hospital. With Almas are Kendra Aucker, President and CEO; Kelly Solomon, RN, Director of Critical Care; and Tamara Persing, RN, BSN, MS, CIC, FAPIC, Vice President Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer at Evangelical Community Hospital.

Evangelical Community Hospital Awards DAISY Honor for Nursing Excellence to LeeAnn Almas, RN, BSN

LeeAnn Almas, RN, BSN, was presented the DAISY Award on Monday, March 14, 2022. The award is presented to a deserving nurse who exemplifies clinical expertise and compassionate care and is recognized as a role model in the nursing community.

Almas was surrounded by her fellow coworkers and mentors, as well as Hospital and Nursing leadership, as she was presented with the award. She was nominated for the award by Jeannie Sommers, whose brother was a patient at Evangelical for over four weeks.

In the nomination, Sommers shared, “My brother had never been hospitalized in his life and had no prior medical history. LeeAnn and he connected, and she was so patient with him. She explained medical terms and why he was being asked to do certain things, such as sleep positions. Her patience and caring for him went above and beyond.”

Sommers continued, “My brother was frustrated, scared, and angry and I watched her handle each emotion with nothing but patience and caring. LeeAnn is skilled not only in her clinical abilities, but in her caring and ability to bond with patients and understand how to handle each one as an individual.”

Almas began her work at Evangelical in February 2017 as a RN in Critical Care and has continued her work on the Critical Care Unit as well as the Intermediate Care Unit. She has been a vital member of the Hospital’s care team of professionals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 in California by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 from complications of an auto-immune disease. During his eight-week hospital stay, his family was impressed by the care and compassion his nurses provided, not only to him but to everyone in the family. They created the DAISY Award in his memory to recognize those nurses who make a big difference in the lives of so many people.

Evangelical is proud to be a DAISY Award partner. Nurses are nominated by patients, family members of patients, as well as other healthcare professionals. Nominations are presented for consideration through a process of anonymity. The winner is then selected by a board of healthcare workers. Each DAISY Award Honoree is given a DAISY Award pin, a certificate of honor, a gift card from Service First Federal Credit Union, and a stone sculpture entitled, A Healer’s Touch, handcrafted by a tribe in Zimbabwe.

Nominations for the DAISY award can be made by patients, patient family members, colleagues, and providers. If an Evangelical Community Hospital nurse has displayed extraordinary clinical expertise and compassion, visit www.DAISYnomination.org/ECH and fill out a nomination form.