We are writing to nominate our colleague on the Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse Coordinator, Dana Godec, RN, for the DAISY Award.

Dana epitomizes the attributes associated both with the DAISY Award and with this institution’s commitment to amazing service. She is organized, task- and detail-oriented, focused and yet also able to embrace a larger world view – and a patient’s world view – when it comes to care. She is often the first person on our team whom patients/caregivers come into contact with as they begin the long and arduous journey of stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. She becomes a vital and integral source of information and emotional support for these individuals. She guides them, directs them, educates them, refers them and, per her title, truly coordinates their care whether that includes setting people up for care (labs, blood product replacements, outpatient tests) closer to their out-of-the-metro-Denver area homes; working to find them financial assistance for medications that are out of their financial reaches; connecting them with support resources and groups (Of Note: Dana co-facilitates a monthly psychosocial support group for patients/caregivers here on campus through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society); or helping them access local housing. For patients and their family caregivers who are afraid and overwhelmed, Dana often becomes their touchstone. She is the person whom they can connect to and follow-up with, regardless their question. Recently, our team has had a transplant nurse coordinator on an extended medical leave. Dana actively accepted new patients to help deflect the challenge our team has faced in safely and appropriately caring for patients without a full team. In addition to long work hours, this has also meant adjusting vacation time and time-off to accommodate our patients’ and team’s needs.
In working with one patient and family seeking care at UCH from out of the area, Dana worked tirelessly to help them secure a location – and a discount! – where they could park their RV and stay for an extended period of time during the patient’s treatment and extended recovery.
One patient case, in particular, illustrates Dana’s compassion and commitment. Mr. S has a significant anxiety disorder and difficult personality. He has been a patient with the transplant program for many years. Mr. S is known to be very challenging to care for and work with due to his extreme demands and expectations of everyone around him. Dana is his touchstone. She is one of the few people who Mr. S will really listen to and one of the few people who is able to calm him during his acute emotional distress. Dana has even accompanied Mr. S to a number of tests and procedures to ensure his safety and staff’s ability to safely and effectively perform their work with him. As Mr. S neared the end of his life, he increasingly sought Dana’s support and reassurance. He spent the final days of his life in UCH Inpatient Unit and although, this was not Dana’s usual place of work, she made frequent visits to provide him comfort, reassurance, and support. This support for the patient was also reassuring to the inpatient staff caring for a patient with very limited family support. Mr. S died in October 2010 after years of fighting his cancer.
Dana is an invaluable asset to our patients, our team, this hospital and the nursing profession. Thank you for the opportunity to nominate and recognize her for this important award and in this special way. She has truly been a star of the BMT Team for many years – but 2010 in particular!