Ascension at Home honored Janice Baron Dombrowsky, Director Hospice for Plover and Wausau, for being the “best of the best” during their fourth quarter DAISY Award ceremony on Dec. 20. Janice received three nominations from her colleagues:

Doris Haines-Staddler, shared in her nomination, “Janice stepped into her nursing shoes with the admission of a child to our program. She lives by the philosophy of ‘do what is right, don’t worry about who is right.’ She was also able to help the team care for the psychosocial and spiritual needs of the child and his family.”

“Janice supported both the father and the son emotionally, physically and spiritually. Janice stayed with the son and his family for over 24 hours. She was there when the son died. When she returned to the office, she was very tearful and stated that she was so happy to be a part of this, although very sad, it had changed her life. Janice then went to clinical services; she had not slept in approximately 48 hours,” stated Patty Woitczak.

“Through her hard work, dedication, compassion and focusing on our mission, Janice helped a young patient and family through a life event no patient should have to experience with their child,” commented Ellyn Wehler.

This is the third year Ascension at Home has been participating in the DAISY Award program. 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.

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.