Unity Announces DAISY Award Honoree for Exceptional, Compassionate Care

Unity announced the 2024 honoree of the nationally recognized Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses during a recent awards ceremony held at Unity Grief and Education Center.
For her commitment to delivering the highest quality of care, Unity Registered Nurse Ashley Vander Heiden was presented with a personalized "Extraordinary Nurse" certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved sculpture called "The Healer's Touch" which represents the bond between nurses and their patients. As a Daisy Honoree, Vander Heiden will also receive ongoing benefits, such as reduced certification rates with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the opportunity to apply for conference scholarships among others.
Nurses are eligible for the Daisy Award through nominations by patients, family members, physicians, community partners, and colleagues. Vander Heiden was nominated by a colleague.
Unity Social Worker Connie Rissling, who nominated Vander Heiden, said “I've watched Ashley meeting people in motel rooms to change wound bandages and ensure comfort for a dying patient. Dangerous situations, unsanitary environment, none of that mattered. She was gentle, kind, compassionate and didn't leave until she knew he was going to be okay. I've watched Ashley with pediatric patients. She showed dignity and respect in every interaction with this child. Allowing them autonomy while completing all things necessary to maintain comfort. She makes schedule adjustments to be at visits she knows are important. She is a wonderful coworker who willingly shares her knowledge across disciplines. I am very grateful to work with such a kind and caring professional. She is an amazing nurse well deserving of recognition.”
Unity encourages everyone who has had an exceptional experience with a Unity nurse to express their gratitude by completing the DAISY Award Nomination form located at unityhospice.org/caregiver-resources.
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About The Daisy Foundation
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died in 1999 at the age of 33 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 throughout his healthcare journey inspired the creation of this unique program to thank nurses for their immense clinical skills and enormous compassion when caring for patients and families.
 
About Unity
Unity is Northeast Wisconsin’s pioneering not-for-profit healthcare provider that offers a full complement of care solutions including nonmedical home care, supportive palliative care, hospice care, and grief support. With a commitment to seamlessly adapt care to the everchanging needs of each patient and family, Unity works tirelessly to enhance quality of life through innovative services and unique programs ensuring the wishes and goals of patients and families are always met.  As the only locally owned and operated advanced illness provider in the region, Unity partners with area skilled nursing facilities, assisted-living facilities, and pharmacies, ensuring seamless care in all settings. Unity is the sole organization offering inpatient hospice at seven area hospitals and is a collaboration between Bellin Health, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center,
and HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. Established as the third hospice program in the nation, Unity launched Wisconsin’s first palliative care program in 2002, the area’s first hospice residence in 2007, the region’s only Grief and Education Center in 2021, and the area’s first pediatric hospice program in 2024. Learn more at https://unityhospice.org/.