Altru Nurse Earns DAISY Award for Her Compassion and Kindness

Jan Dechka Azure, RN, a nurse at Altru Health System in the Family Birthing Center (FBC), 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.

A patient who suffered a miscarriage nominated Jan for the DAISY Award.

“I miscarried almost halfway through my pregnancy and had to deliver my baby. Jan was my nurse through my delivery and afterwards. She was calm and kind, showing compassion through the most emotionally difficult time in my life,” shared the patient. "Jan admired my baby, commenting how beautiful he was, and then she took photos of him for me.”

During such a difficult time, the patient found comfort in Jan’s care.

“Losing my son, my first baby, was the worst experience of my entire life, but Jan was the sunshine for me during a time of complete darkness. She is a wonderful nurse.”

Another patient also witnessed Jan’s tremendous compassion and care.

“I’ve been to the ER several times due to nausea in my pregnancy, and she is always super pleasant. After long hours of throwing up, Jan still manages to uplift my mood.”

Director of Specialty Services Lisa Johnson said, “Jan is an excellent nurse, and it is no surprise to all of us that she has been recognized for her outstanding care. She exemplifies the Altru value of going above and beyond.”

Jan has worked in the Altru Family Birthing Center since 1993. 

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.