Atlantic, IA – Cass Health officials said Tuesday (Today), the newest DAISY Award winning nurse is Michelle Gelner, RN, BSN. Her nominator wrote, “I came to the emergency room at about 12:30 am and was seen immediately by the nurse. Her professional manner, knowledge, and care were exemplary. She stayed with me in every respect – her calm manner and kindness relieved my anxiety, which came as a result of convulsive coughing and inability to catch my breath. She accompanied me and helped me through a number of exams, including blood work and x-rays. I felt so cared for an I really appreciated it. She was focused, professional, patient and caring.”

Gelner commented, “It is an honor to be selected for the DAISY Award. I didn’t go into this career looking for gratitude and recognition. When I decided to leave the Army, I wanted a career that would positively impact people’s lives. I also wanted a career that was challenging, flexible, and had diverse opportunities. Nursing also allows you to build a family with your patients, coworkers, and community. I loved hearing that my patient felt at ease, cared for, and valued while in the Emergency Department. This award is not just for me, it is for the team effort to provide that best patient care possible.”

Michelle Gelner, RN, BSN

Since joining Cass Health in 2019, Gelner has lead the way in delivering high-quality clinical care and exceptional patient experiences in many departments – among them, OB, inpatient, emergency and as a house supervisor. Gelner recently took on a leadership role and is now the Director of Cardiac Rehab.

Chief Operating Officer Amanda Bireline presented the award to Gelner and said, “As expected, she is already shining as a leader – gaining the trust of her teams and the patients they serve. Michelle is level-headed, collaborative, steadfast and, more than many, understands the value of the human relationship,”

Nurses at Cass Health are honored twice annually with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.® The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide to patients and families every day. The DAISY Award committee at Cass Health thanks all nominators for their submissions. Each nurse who was nominated will be presented with a special pin and a copy of the nomination.

The DAISY Foundation is a 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.

This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation to express gratitude to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing, and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students.

More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org. An online nomination form is available at https://www.casshealth.org/daisy.