Kamir Suharto, RN, was recently awarded the DAISY Award at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care given by nurses every day.

Kamir, who is a nurse in the critical care unit at Phoebe’s main campus, was nominated for the DAISY Award by a co-worker. “The nickname "Hart" couldn't be more appropriate for him. Hart's continued love for his work is what I appreciate the most about him. He always advocates for the patients in the unit and works hard to give them everything they need,” wrote the co-worker.

According to the nomination letter, one time Kamir made a small happy birthday banner that he put on a cheesecake for a COVID patient when visitation was restricted. After giving the patient the sweet treat, Kamir went to the nurse’s station and had the staff sing happy birthday to the patient over the nurse call system.

“One big thing that everyone will notice about Hart [Kamir] is his love for singing. Just recently Hart sang over a patient that was at her end of life. While family members watched, Hart sang over this patient while she passed away. The family watch and listened as Hart’s voice carried through the walls of CCU. This family was so thankful for him as he gave the patient something she requested of him days prior to,” added Kamir’s colleague.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, 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 (ITP), 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.

At a presentation given in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors, the honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an "Extraordinary Nurse." The honoree is also given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

If you would like to nominate a nurse for the DAISY Award, go to phoebehealth.com/daisy-award.