Jennifer B. Blank, RN, BSN, MA, was awarded The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award on December 17, 2020, in a surprise ceremony in the presence of many of her peers, team members, and family and friends, both virtually and live.
Jenny graduated from nursing school in 1977 and has served in various capacities of nursing over the years. She started her career as a Staff Nurse and Unit Supervisor, moved into various areas of Education, Infection Prevention, and Risk Management Directorship. Jenny served as Home Health Administrative Director and Director of Operations. After several other nursing positions, Jenny became the Director of Patient Services for the Emergency Department at Winter Haven Hospital when she accepted this position in 2003. While serving in that position, she also directed the areas of Clinical Education, ED Observation, Central Monitoring Unit, Administrators on Duty, and STAT RNs.
In 2010, Jenny was highly influential in Winter Haven Hospital's joining forces with The DAISY Foundation. Through the past 10 years, Jenny has been the Coordinator for the hospital's DAISY Program. Over the years, she has presented more than 200 nurses with the DAISY Award, telling the story behind The DAISY Award and Patrick Barnes' battle with the auto-immune disease, ITP. She has read so many very touching stories of RNs' compassion and care to their patients and patient families.
Jenny was awarded The DAISY Champion Award in 2013 as she truly was Winter Haven Hospital's Champion of the program.
Throughout Jenny's nursing career of 40+ years, she has mentored and helped shape the careers of many nurses, both young and old. She has been a wealth of knowledge in clinical practice and administration, a true professional serving as a role model and advocate of the practice of nursing.
For her dedication and compassion, we are recognizing with gratitude, Jenny Blank with The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.