Unity Hospice announced the 2025 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 and compassion, Unity Registered Nurse Tonya Trimberger 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, Trimberger 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 for their outstanding compassion and immense clinical skills based upon the following criteria:
•
Models empathy and demonstrates a caring attitude in all situations.
•
Demonstrates extraordinary clinical skills in the delivery of compassionate patient care.
•
Has a positive attitude and demonstrates professionalism in the work environment.
•
Exemplifies the mission, vision and values of Unity.
•
Establishes a special connection with patients and families.
Trimberger received 5 separate nominations from family members of a hospice patient under her care. The nominations shared the following: “Throughout Brad's time with Unity Hospice, when Tonya walked through the doors, we all felt relief knowing that she was going to check on him and give him the best care possible! Her compassion was unmatchable. She cared so incredibly much about Brad as well as the rest of the family. She was caring, compassionate, patient, calming, and reassuring to each of us, always answering all of our large family's questions & concerns as soon as possible. She seems so passionate about this career.
It is more than just a job for her. She has touched each of our hearts and we feel Brad was lucky to have her as his nurse in his final days. Tonya is an amazing nurse who goes above and beyond what she needs to do. The family could never pay her back. She deserves to be recognized for the amazing care she gives.”
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.
“Unity is proud to be a DAISY Award partner. The kind of work our nurses are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of this international award. It’s a privelage to celebrate their contributions to compassionate, patient-centered care”, says Heidi Warpinski, Unity Senior Director of Nursing and Specialty Services.
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/.