Dolores Hebert LeBoeuf
May 12, 2008May 14
May 14, 2008
TGMC’s Gaitlin’s ‘extraordinary work in health
By SOPHIA RUFFIN
Every month, a registered nurse from Terrebonne General Medical Center is honored with the “Daisy Award,” given by the non-profit Daisy Foundation for extraordinary work in the healthcare field.
This month’s honoree is registered nurse Tanya Gaitlin.
On any given day, Gaitlin roams the halls of Terrebonne General Women’s Center not equipped with a cape and superpowers, but with blankets, ice chips and any other helpful materials to aid expecting mothers when they are pushing their bundles of joy into the world.
“I feel that nursing has been a calling for me and I will continue to do the best possible job that I can do for my moms and babies,” Gaitlin said.
Her nomination came from Marian Long of Houma. Long said she nominated the nurse because of the helping hand she lent her daughter-in-law, Kristi Ritchey, when she gave birth to the family’s first grandson on March 18.
“Kristi and the family were both excited and apprehensive when we arrived at the Women’s Center around noon,” Long said in her nomination letter. “We met her nurse [Gaitlin] and she took the time to explain everything to us. As Kristi’s labor progressed, Tanya would come in and check on her, keeping everybody informed.”
Around 7:12 p.m., Ritchey gave birth to a 7-pound, 15-ounce baby boy. The excited grandmother commended the nurse, “Tanya keep Kristi focused and made sure that my son and the labor team was doing everything correctly.”
In response, Gaitlin said she felt fortunate to be able to work in an environment where the other nurses feel the same way that she does about wanting to make a difference in the lives of the patients on a daily basis.
“We are pleased to be able to present this special honor to our nurses who go over and above the call of duty on a daily basis,” said Phyllis Peoples, TGMC president and CEO. “The Daisy Award is an excellent way for us to show our appreciation to these special nurses who touch the lives of our patients and their family members.”
During the award ceremony the honoree is kept a secret, so Gaitlin had no idea she was going to receive the award until her name was called.
“I was very surprised and honored,” she said. “I am a nurse because I love it and being recognized for doing a job that I love to do is just the icing on the cake.”
“At the end of the day I go home with a smile on my face knowing that I did everything that I could do to meet my patients’ needs,” she added.
J. Patrick Barnes’ family formed the Daisy Foundation in January 2000. The word “Daisy” is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
The foundation spearheads the nurse recognition program nationwide, along with support from United Healthcare. To date, United Healthcare has contributed nearly $42,000 to the foundation mission to find a cure for immune system diseases such as Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, which Barnes died of in 1999.
Barnes was 33 when he died according to his brother, Brad Barnes, and sister-in-law, Dana. They represented the family on the day Gaitlin received her award.
Sister-in-law Dana Barnes told the crowd of TGMC healthcare professionals, “Everyone who met Pat even once was touched by his positive spirit and his sense of humor.”
Patrick was a twice survivor of Hodgkin’s Disease. His family said he was driven by a desire to befriend others and help them in any way he could. “His legacy is clear,” they said. “Whenever he came across anyone in need he never turned his back on anyone. To them he was a natural mentor, sharing his phenomenally positive outlook on life with a wide network of friends and family around the country with whom he stayed in constant contact.”
Patrick’s mother, Bonnie Barnes, the president and co-founder of the foundation, said in a release that the program was established to keep his memory alive.
“When Patrick was ill, we were awed by the skill, care and compassion we received,” she wrote. “We created the foundation to say thank you to nurses around the country, as we believe they are truly ‘unsung heroes.'”
The first award was given out in 2001 at the Seattle, Washington hospital where Patrick Barnes passed away. Since then, more than 2,000 nurses at 175 hospitals have been recognized with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Dana and Brad Barnes of the DAISY FOUNDATION, Daisy Award recipient Tanya Gaitlin, R.N., TGMC President and CEO Phyllis Peoples and Glen Golemi of United Healthcare, CEO Gulf States, were on hand for last week’s presentation. * Photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN
