6/16/24 RCH Nursing Leader Receives DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award
16 June 2024 News
Jen Bunker, RN, SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital Inpatient, Emergency and Surgical Services director, has been awarded The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes nurses who have devoted their life’s work to the compassionate care of others.
Award recipients are nominated for their dedication to nursing through active mentoring, role modeling, advocating for their patients and promoting the positive image of nursing. They serve as a beacon of inspiration to those at all stages of their career and in the various and important roles of nursing.
The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award gives staff a way to express their gratitude and recognize the legacies that have sustained and shaped the heritage of nursing.
Honorees are considered for The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are considered based on their distinguished career as a nurse in clinical practice, administration, education, and/or research that promote a positive image of professional nursing; professional development of self and others in the nursing profession; role model and advocate for nursing practice and the advancement of nursing as a professional; advocate for the improvement of patient care and serves as an exemplar for enhancing the patient experience; recognition by the broader nursing community as a transformational nursing leader; and more than 25 years of service.
Bunker’s nomination shared her dedicated commitment to the hospital and the patients and families it serves.
Jen Bunker is an exceptional nurse. Her years of experience and the care and compassion she provides to our patients and our staff is remarkable. As the single director of nursing for an entire hospital, you do not feel a lack of presence, but rather an omnipresence through her and her team to provide the best care to everyone they interact with.
She is consistently rounding on the units to meet with patients and families. She is also best practice driven and focused on ensuring we are providing the best care that is evidence based for our patients. Jen is an advocate for education for staff to continue to grow and service our patients in the most up-to-date practices.
Jen participates on the Mission Action Team and leads by example. She is often the first to volunteer for events. Just within the last month, Jen created a yogurt parfait bar and had the proceeds donated to our Employee Relief Fund. Jen has worked shifts to cover for staff when needed (recently covered for a colleague experiencing a death in the family).
DAISY first began honoring nurses in 1999 after Bonnie and Mark Barnes’ son, Patrick, died at age 33 from an autoimmune disease. While Patrick was hospitalized, the Barnes family was overwhelmed by the care they received from nurses.
After their son’s death, they launched the foundation as a meaningful way to honor the compassionate care nurses display every day.
Recipients of the award receive a certificate, lapel pin and sculpture with a personalized plaque.
Photo credit: Jen Bunker (second from right) is presented with The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award from fellow SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital leaders, including (left to right) Desiree Stensrud, Ashley Kolberg, Nicole Gill, and Sydney Aalsma.
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