SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Barton Health registered nurse John Truesdell was recently selected as a DAISY Award winner.

The DAISY Award recognizes the clinical skill and compassionate care nurses provide to create a superior experience for patients and their families. Nurses must be nominated by patients or their families.

Truesdell, who works in the emergency department, was nominated by a woman whose husband received emergency care following a ski accident. With his memory impaired and the extent of his injuries unknown, the family came in with a high level of anxiety. Throughout the visit, Truesdell fostered trust and empowerment, taking care to explain all procedures and ensure comprehension. The family reported feeling safe in his care despite an uncomfortable and frightening situation.

“It was a very scary experience as he had no memory from his concussion and we didn’t know how bad his injuries were yet. We were alone, as we aren’t from South Lake Tahoe, but the wonderful staff at Barton not only treated my husband, they made me feel safe, too,” said the nominator. “[Truesdell’s] care especially stood out. He treated us with so much care and explained everything that was going on so that I felt less afraid. He checked in on us frequently and addressed my husband’s discomfort. We are so very grateful for John’s care.”

Truesdell is a South Lake Tahoe native who attended nursing school at University of Reno, Nevada. His interest in medicine progressed from years as a ski patroller and wilderness guide. He has been a nurse for 10 years.

“I wanted to do more for people than stabilize and transport,” said Truesdell. “My favorite part of my job is seeing an improvement in the patient’s condition, and of course, the knowledgeable, supportive, and fun team I work with.”  

The award recipient is chosen anonymously by a committee at Barton Health. As a winner of the DAISY Award, Truesdell received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called

A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. Awards are presented quarterly at celebrations often attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors.

The DAISY Foundation is a nonprofit established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses. For more information, visit BartonHealth.org/Daisy.