Ministry Home Care – Hospice in Stevens Point honored Jennifer Schueller, RN, for being the “best of the best” during a recent DAISY Award ceremony. Recipients are selected quarterly, based on their clinical expertise and demonstration of extraordinary compassionate care. The winners receive a certificate that reads:

“In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.”

The honoree is also given a pin and a hand-carved sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” created by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. Jennifer is a Hospice Case Manager/RN and has worked with Ministry Home Care Hospice for 1 year and 3 months. When asked what is the thing that she likes most about her job, she replied, “meeting new patients and having the awesome opportunity and privilege to meet their needs at the tender end of life moments.” She recharges in her free time by spending time with her new granddaughter, Maiya. When the weather is warmer, Jennifer also enjoys kayaking and traveling with her husband Todd.

She was nominated by Doris Haines (staddler) and the reason for her nomination, as she explained, was:
“Jennifer is an excellent nurse. She is calm and professional. These were traits that she needed today. She was at one of our contracted CBRFs, when a resident began choking. Staff was not able to dislodge the food and the resident became unresponsive.
Ultimately Jennifer stepped in; the resident became unresponsive. She started chest compressions and was able to dislodge the material from the residents’ throat. We are proud to say that Jennifer saved a life today. She would not see this as beyond her job requirement because “she is a nurse” and that is what they do. I see this as a fabulous community service that she provided. I am sure this resident’s family and the facility staff would see this as being beyond her job requirements. She acted as a team player with our contracted facility, helping them with a serious situation. I am sure Jennifer will continue to support this facility team and may indirectly have one more person she keeps an eye on in that facility.”

The DAISY Award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. 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), an auto-immune disease. To learn more, go to www.daisyfoundation.org. If you would like to submit a nomination for extraordinary nursing care, please fill out a nomination form located at ministryhomecare.org, then drop it off at any Ministry Home Care agency front desk. When submitting a nomination form, please use specific examples of why you feel your nominee should be considered for the DAISY award. Nominations are due Feb. 22, 2017 for the 1st Quarter DAISY Award Honoree.