The 2026 Daisy Award was presented at the Daisy Award Ceremony to Matt Sandel, RN. Pictured left to right: Lori Harrah, acute and ER nurse manager; Matt Sandel, RN; and Mandy Schiefert, chief nursing officer DAISY Award Nominees: Stephaney Brondum and Dale Peterson
Special to the Times Vedette
Nurses are honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the efforts nurses perform every day. Nurses are nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is selected by a panel of community members. Each nominee receives a daisy pin and bouquet of daisies. The DAISY Honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate 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 be given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
The 2026 Daisy Award was presented at the Daisy Award Ceremony to Matt Sandel, RN.
PCTs are honored with The Sunshine Award for Remarkable PCTs. The Sunshine Award is exclusive to Guthrie County Hospital. Spawned from a desire of the nurses to recognize the PCT staff, the Sunshine Award has been established.
PCTs are nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The Sunshine Award recipient is selected by a panel of community members. Each nominee receives a sunshine pin and bouquet of sunflowers. Sunshine Award honorees receive: a personalized certificate, a Sunshine Award pin, and a hand-made wooden sunshine plaque.
“The DAISY and Sunshine Award ceremony is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the extraordinary compassion, dedication and human connection our caregivers bring to every patient experience. These awards honor those who go above and beyond — offering not only clinical excellence but also kindness, empathy and comfort during life’s most vulnerable moments. We are proud to celebrate individuals who truly exemplify the heart of our mission and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve,” stated Mandy Schiefert, chief nursing officer.
The 2026 Sunshine Award was presented at the Sunshine Award Ceremony to LaRoyce Kress, PCT.
Nomination forms for 2027 are available at Guthrie County Hospital, GCH Clinics, GCH Healthy Living Center and at www.guthriecountyhospital.org.
History of the DAISY Award:
The nonprofit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, 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.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill, and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Guthrie County Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award,” commented Bonnie Barnes, Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation.
Meaning of the Sunshine Award Plaque:
Each plaque is hand-made and intricately woven locally. The woven part of the plaque symbolizes the inextricable link between the PCT and RN staff. Each one is an integral member of the team. When woven together just right, the sunshine (PCTs) can perfectly support the DAISIES (RNs). Together, they create an environment in which our patients can flourish and thrive.
The 2026 Sunshine Award was presented at the Sunshine Award Ceremony to LaRoyce Kress, PCT. Pictured left to right: LaRoyce Kress, PCT and Mandy Schiefert, chief nursing officer