Devyn LeBlanc, reporter@greenepublishing.com
Louis Dawkins, an RN at DaVita Four Freedoms Dialysis, was recently awarded the Diseases Attacking the Immune System (DAISY) Award for Extraordinary Nurses, through the DAISY Foundation.
Established in 1999, the DAISY Foundation was formed by members of the family of Patrick Barnes, who passed away at 33-years-old due to complications of an autoimmune disease called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Throughout the eight weeks Barnes battled ITP, it was noted how extraordinarily pleased Barnes and his family were with the care he received from his nurses at DaVita. Their overwhelming compassion and kindness made a difference in Barnes' experience, and his family wanted to thank all of the nurses throughout DaVita for the care they provide their patients each day.
“What started out as a thank you from their family to nurses has grown into a meaningful recognition program embraced by over 4,500 healthcare organizations, in 28 countries and in all 50 states. DaVita is very proud to partner with DAISY to recognize our extraordinary nurses,” states DaVita in a press release.
Dawkins, originally from South Carolina, began his journey in the medical field when he entered the military as an army medic, where he was sent to a hospital for three months to receive his training. During his time at the hospital, Dawkins observed the men working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and stated he was taken aback “When I saw those guys working in ICU and how they were working and doing their thing...that was...my 'aha' moment,” stated Dawkins. Through the army, Dawkins pursued LPN school, where he received a scholarship from Florida A&M University to receive his RN degree, which was put on hold because “life happened,” as stated by Dawkins. He later received his RN degree through Tallahassee Community College (TCC) and his bachelor's in Nursing through Florida Gateway. Dawkins plans to continue furthering his education to receive his license as a Nurse Practitioner, and currently has applications on hold at Florida A&M and University of West Florida.
Dawkins began his career with DaVita in January of 2008, after he had been up for a job offer with Tallahassee Memorial Hospital to work on the cardiovascular floor but realized he wanted to pursue a career in dialysis instead. “I've met a lot of special people in this field,” shares Dawkins in regards to his coworkers and patients. “You would think it would be sad and [full of] despair, [but] we are here having a good time,” states Dawkins. “Everyone's really helping each other out and we have a great understanding. We understand the patients and the patients understand us, we're all in one accord,” he continued.
In addition to receiving a certificate of appreciation, Dawkins was presented with the Healer's Touch Sculpture. This sculpture, which represents the bond between nurses and their patients, is hand-carved, made of serpentine stone and is signed by the Shona artist from Zimbabwe. As stated in a press release by DaVita, “...through their work for DAISY, the Shona artists are able to support hundreds of people in their community. The DAISY Foundation feels that nurses are reaching around the world and impacting the lives of these very special artists, and the artists are filled with gratitude to nurses for this work.”
After Dawkins received his DAISY Award, he and his coworkers enjoyed the sweet taste of cinnamon rolls to celebrate. Cinnamon rolls are served at every DAISY Award ceremony, and there are several reasons why. When Barnes was ill with ITP, he lost his appetite until one morning when he asked to take a bite of a cinnamon roll his dad had brought for breakfast. One bite of the cinnamon roll turned into Barnes eating the whole roll, and he asked his family to return with more the next day, making sure to bring enough for all of his nurses as a thank you. “... the Foundation wants all nurses to share in his favorite treat as a gift of gratitude,” states a press release by DaVita. “What the DAISY Nurse may not realize, however, is that when nurses are 'just doing their job,' they have such an important and meaningful impact on the lives of so many. DAISY hopes that whenever you smell or taste a cinnamon roll or bake with cinnamon, you will be reminded how special you are and the positive difference you are making in a patient's and/or their family's life. You are making the world a better place because you are a nurse, and we The DAISY Foundation both salute you and honor you,” states a press release given by DaVita.