Sharron Aabye, RN, Honored with DAISY Award

CVPH Program celebrates extraordinary nurses

Sharron Aabye, RN, of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital’s (CVPH) Case Management Department was honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses ® today.  The 35-year employee of CVPH was nominated for her efforts in securing an MRI for a patient who needed special accommodations. 

After days of research, Aabye located the ideal site for the test and then collaborated with a team at CVPH and others to schedule the diagnostic test and then assure safe transport of the patient.  To receive the MRI, the patient had to travel via ambulance to another state. Working with a number of departments and staff members including EMT of CVPH, Pharmacy, Physicians, Nutrition Services, she was able to get the patient the care she needed. 

“But most of all, she worked with the patient to make sure that she was comfortable and her needs were met.  If this nurse did not go above and beyond this process would not have gone as smooth,” the nominator wrote. “Every day (Sharron) uses her hands, head and heart when doing her job.” 

On the day of the transport, Aabye arrived to work 2.5 hours early to make sure the patient was ready and there was no obstacles to the journey.  “She is a devoted nurse and a true asset to CVPH.  I am so thankful to work side by side with her. She is a true role model,” the author of the nomination wrote. 

Aabye was honored by friends and colleagues on CVPH’s inpatient oncology unit, where she is assigned as a case manager.  She was presented with a certificate commending her as an "Extraordinary Nurse" which 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."  Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. 

“I am not at all surprised that Sharron Aabye was nominated for the Daisy Award. She is the kind of nurse who makes a difference in the lives of those she serves. As a nurse, she has shown compassion in her work in the Emergency Department and in Psychiatric care. She always puts “Patients First” by truly listening to the needs of the patients and going out of her way to secure the care and services that are required. She is caring, not judgmental. She has become an integral part of the oncology team as the Case Manager for that population. She is also the first to volunteer when Case Manager shifts need to be picked up. Sharron is also a life-long learner, attending conferences and educational opportunities (that ultimately benefit her patients),” said CVPH Director of Case Management Debra Good.

Calling her a passionate patient advocate, Associate Vice President of Patient Services Ken Thayer, RN, added, “I have had the privilege of working alongside Sharron in the Emergency Department and she continuously dedicates herself to providing the very best patient care.” 

CVPH launched the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in early 2018 as way to recognize and reward licensed nurses for making a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients. Nomination forms and boxes are located at each of the hospital’s main entrances and online at UVMHealth.org/CVPHDaisy. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues.  A committee reviews nominations and each quarter, awards the honor to a deserving nurse. 

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family.  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. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.)  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. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.