It is with great pleasure that I recommend Tammy Olson for Harrison Medical Center's DAISY Award. Tammy has proven to be a nurse that exhibits compassionate, extraordinary nursing care and is a significant asset to Harrison Medical Center. Tammy has been a registered nurse here for over 27 years. She began in the float pool and then transferred into the Intensive Care Unit. Tammy embodies Harrison's mission to make a positive difference in people's lives through exceptional health care.

Tammy plays a vital role in the Intensive Care Unit. She is a valuable resource to the staff and is known as the "go to" person on the unit. Tammy is regarded as a very knowledgeable nurse on our unit and is always willing to share her expertise. She wears many hats as she can serve in all the roles in the ICU. Tammy is approachable, compassionate, and caring. She often orients new staff to many different positions in the ICU. Tammy continuously advocates for the highest level of patient care. She is always one of the first people to ensure that the patients are getting the best possible care. Tammy maintains a current knowledge of all of the policies and procedures, and completes continuing education requirements above and beyond minimal contact hours to stay up to date with the latest treatment modalities. She was recently recognized by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses for maintaining professional certification for more than 25 years. Tammy was also recently nominated by her peers for the March of the Dimes Nurse of the Year Award in the category of Patient Care-Critical Care. Tammy is not only highly regarded by the nursing staff but also by the physicians.



Tammy is extremely dedicated to Harrison Medical Center. She continuously advocates for the nursing profession and serves on the UFCW 21 local nursing union. For years, Tammy has played a major role in contract negotiations to ensure that the Harrison Medical Center nursing staff is provided with fair and competitive compensation. This enables us to retain the extraordinary nursing staff we have. She is not only an invaluable asset to the ICU, but also in her roles as charge nurse and rapid response nurse where she continuously advocates for all of the patients in Harrison Medical Center. In addition, Tammy sits on the ICU's shared governance committee with the main goal of improving patient care.

Tammy quickly forms trusting relationships with patients. She is continuously compassionate and respectful to all who enter this hospital. When rounding throughout the unit and hospital, Tammy always takes the time to introduce herself and talk with patients. She acts as a cheerleader for the patients. For example, in the morning when the open heart patients walk around the unit, Tammy always takes the time to greet them with a smile on her face and encourage their progress.

In the Intensive Care Unit, Tammy nurtures and cares immensely for our staff. Nothing gets by Tammy without recognition and a celebration. She always remembers everyone's birthdays. She ensures to increase the unit's morale by bringing in homemade food and treats for everyone on a regular basis. Tammy often works extra shifts on her days off when staffing is short. She does this because she cares for everyone here as if they were her family.

When I started as a new nurse in the ICU, Tammy welcomed me with a huge smile on her face, immediately putting me at ease. I look up to Tammy because in many ways she is one of the most knowledgeable nurses that I know. She inspires me to provide the best patient care that I can possibly give. Tammy takes great care of the staff in the ICU and she always makes sure that everyone feels safe providing care for their patients.

Tammy is not only fun to work with, but she is also extraordinarily knowledgeable. She knows all of the proper protocols and keeps us in the loop with Harrison and Union news. She always has our backs! She is an awesome preceptor, co-worker and friend. She shares her knowledge and experience with everyone in ICU. She cares about her patients and their families. I feel privileged to work with her.

Tammy is the most efficient and practical charge RN on night shift. She is fair to her staff and compassionate to our patients. Tammy promotes our team effort in providing excellent patient care. She takes on extra tasks, working closely with administration to improve quality of care while relieving the stress on her staff members. Tammy goes the extra mile for her staff and we will go the extra mile for her.

Tammy is a knowledgeable and approachable resource. She is always available and willing to answer questions. I have worked with her on the floors when she responds as an RRT nurse and in the ICU during ICU float nurse training. She has always been supportive and proactive in offering help and advice. Tammy is a wonderful nurse; I have so much respect for her clinical knowledge and nursing practice.

Not only is Tammy a truly professional care provider, she possesses genuine compassion for her patients, colleagues, and care team providers. Always eager to help and learn, Tammy is a model for other nurses in her unit. I cannot think of a more deserving candidate for the DAISY Award.

Tammy enhances patient care with her compassion and competence. She leads by example, she helps the ICU team provide the highest quality of care to our patients, and she manages staff in a respectful and empathetic manner just as she treats patients. Tammy truly makes a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve at Harrison and in the lives of her coworkers and staff. I enthusiastically support her nomination for the DAISY Award as she embodies the values that it represents.

I have enjoyed working with Tammy through the years. When she is in charge, she is always helpful and dependable. I know that if I have a problem, Tammy will be there. She has outstanding clinical skills and can always be counted on to keep a level head. On her watch, even the most hectic nights in the ICU are calm and controlled.

I am honored and blessed to share my workplace with such an amazing clinician. Tammy is the heart of the ICU. She can be counted on by all staff and truly embodies the DAISY Award's mission statement of "demonstrating excellence through her clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care, she is recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community."