CMH announces January 2022 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner

Sarah Rovenstine, a registered nurse with Citizens Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department in Bolivar, was named the January 2022 CMH DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner.

Rovenstine has worked for CMH for 28 years in various positions before earning her RN degree from Cox College, Springfield, in 2019. Since that time she has worked in ICU and the nursing float pool before finding her “home” in CMH Emergency Department.

“It was the ER that got me into medicine, and after I started at the CMH ER it was like I was finally home,” said Rovenstine.

She was nominated for the DAISY Award by a coworker for her extraordinary care, compassion and resilience.

“I am compelled to applaud and recognize Sarah Rovenstine, RN, for the extraordinary care, compassion and resilience I witnessed from her under the most extenuating of circumstances,” said her coworker in the nomination.

The nomination described how Rovenstine fought to keep a dying young woman alive, navigating numerous medications, labs, orders and other challenges. However, when it became known that all interventions were not successful Rovenstine gathered the patient’s family, held their hands, and comforted them in their grief.

The nomination continued, “I know this is only one of the many examples of the hardships this year has brought. But Sarah’s amazing ability as a nurse equally matches the kindness of her heart. CMH is a better place because of her, and countless others like her, continuing to give the best of themselves to those who are sick and hurting and seek our care.”

Rovenstine was very surprised and humbled to receive the DAISY award and was quick to commend her coworkers for their hard work and support.

“I have great coworkers; it’s all about the people,” said Rovenstine. “I really do believe in our CMH mission and I really do think we make a difference in people’s lives every day.”

About the DAISY Award

DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at 33 of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease.

The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for Barnes, so they created this international award to say thank you to nurses everywhere.

CMH implemented the DAISY Award program in January 2019 to recognize their own extraordinary nurses. Each month a CMH or Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation nurse will be presented with this recognition.

If you or someone you know would like to submit a CMH DAISY Award nomination, go to: https://cmhbolivar.info/DAISY. For more information about the DAISY Award and Foundation, visit www.daisyfoundation.org

Photo: Sarah Rovenstine, RN, with CMH Emergency Department, is the recipient of the January 2022 CMH DAISY Award.