MVHS Announces Winners of DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) announced three winners of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an award which recognizes nurses for the amazing efforts they perform every day. The winners of the awards, Anita Moller, BSN, RN, CNOR; Carrie Seelbach, RN; and Iryna Karpovich, RN, each received a hand-carved statue, a certificate and scholarship opportunities for continued learning.

Each winner is selected from a pool of nominations submitted by patients and/or family members, then evaluated by a group of peers from across the health system.

“We are so proud of our nurses,” said Nancy Traxel, Education Services manager at MVHS. “Each winner is so deserving of this honor for the extraordinary care, compassion and clinical excellence they demonstrate every day.”

Anita Moller, BSN, RN, CNOR, a true champion of kindness, is a perioperative nurse manager for MVHS. She was nominated for her cheerful courtesy.

“Last year, my husband suffered a massive stroke,” the nomination read. “I was terrified and overwhelmed! Anita showed genuine concern and comfort to me and my family. I will never forget Anita. Before she left us for the evening, she gave me a great big hug! My husband had to go in for immediate brain surgery. All of my kids hadn’t arrived yet. Anita went downstairs, greeted them and guided each one of my three kids to get them upstairs to where they needed to be. Did she demonstrate compassion? I’ve never been hugged by a nurse before. I’ll never forget it!”

Carrie Seelbach, RN, works at the MVHS Orthopedic Medical Office. She was nominated for her thoroughness and expert attention to detail.

“Carrie was willing to go the extra mile” said the nominator. “Carrie was not only helpful but also listened to what I had to say, answered my questions and made me feel at ease. She put on my cast with ease and expert attention to detail! Carrie was very concerned with how I was feeling and if I had pain or concerns. She went beyond the norm and gave the extra measure of care and concern. An exceptional nurse giving above average care and concern!”

Iryna Karpovich, RN, who works in the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) at the St. Elizabeth Campus of MVHS, was nominated for the comfort and reassurance she provided.

“During my stay in IMCU I was provided care by Iryna,” the nomination read. “She was very compassionate and understanding. She did not become frustrated when she had to repeat herself as I am hard of hearing. I also was a little restless and she was able to calm me down by her calmness and caring nature. She listened to my concerns and did not make me feel like a foolish, elderly man. She was very skillful and tried not to create pain when she moved me or checked dressing. When I wanted to walk she was patient with me, did not rush and assisted as needed. Upon my discharge, she took the time to come and say goodbye and give me a hug. Iryna is a devoted, caring nurse. She provides the dedication to her patient that all nurses should. She is definitely an asset to the nursing staff at SEMC..”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. 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.

“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night.” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, co-founder of The DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at MVHS are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”