Altru Nurse Earns DAISY Award for Compassionate Care

Brady Meyer, RN, a nurse at Altru Health System in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU), is being honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care nurses provide patients and families every day.

“Brady worked the night shift and cared for my dad all weekend. Brady was empathetic, poised, professional and put my dad at the center,” shared the woman who nominated Brady.

This woman had a particular interest in the nursing care her dad was receiving because she is a nurse herself, although not from the area.

“Brady’s bedside reporting was outstanding. He came into the room, knelt next to the bed to make eye contact with my dad, pulled his mask down so my dad could see him and hear him (my dad is hard of hearing) and, most importantly, included us in the handoff process,” explained the nominator.

On a chance meeting in the hospital parking lot after Brady’s night shift, Brady interacted with the patient’s family.

“He acknowledged us, we talked about dad's night, and Brady reassured us that my dad was on a path to a successful discharge plan. He didn't have to do that. This was above and beyond and so much appreciated,” wrote the daughter.

The daughter continued, “Brady was never in a rush. He was professional and kept my dad the priority. Each night when I left, I knew my dad was in excellent hands. In the small amount of time I interacted with Brady, I developed trust. It was evident my dad trusted him as well.”

From one nurse to another, the daughter expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you, Brady, for putting my dad at the center. You made being a compassionate nurse look easy.”

Another daughter of a different patient was also grateful for the care her father received.

Altru’s Director of Nursing Services Sara Dvorak shared, “I would also like to thank Brady for the care he gave my dad while he was here in the hospital. Brady called me each morning after his night shift to give me a report on how his night was and the plan for the day. This relieved my anxiety and allowed me to go home each night knowing my dad was in good hands. Brady is truly deserving of this award!”

Brady has worked at Altru in the PCU since he was hired in 2021.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif., 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.