Julie Thompson, a nurse at Van Diest Medical Center (VDMC) in Webster City, Iowa, helped a little boy overcome his fear and anxiety before surgery and was named the 2023 recipient of the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Daily Nurse is proud to honor Thompson as our Nurse of the Week, recognizing the super-human work Thompson provides for patients and families every day at VDMC.
“The Daisy Award recognizes the super-human work nurses do for their patients and families every day wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve and throughout their careers,” says Lisa Ridge, chief executive officer of VDMC.
Thompson was nominated for the Daisy Award by Alexx Wilkerson, who brought her 5-year-old son Keaton to VDMC for outpatient surgery.
“He was extremely nervous, and I was mentally prepared to console him before and after the procedure. He was visibly shaking in the car,” she says.
But that all changed when Keaton met his nurse.
“She made sure Keaton felt heard and respected. But, as much as she made sure that I was aware of the process, she also prioritized making sure Keaton was comfortable and involved in his care,” Wilkerson says.
Wilkerson describes Thompson as someone who embodies love, home, and acceptance, radiating such positivity and warmth that it is impossible not to feel at ease in her presence.
“We walked into your medical center nervous about being around strangers at a vulnerable time. Yet we ended up walking out feeling like we just spent time with family,’ she says.
Wilkerson, who has worked in healthcare, says nurses like Thompson are extremely rare and deserve to be celebrated.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
