Caleb Hansen, Registered Nurse, Receives DAISY Award

Caleb Hansen, a Registered Nurse in the Rapid City Hospital ICU, has received the prestigious DAISY Award. A national program, the award is presented to nurses who go above and beyond for their patients and community. Caleb was nominated by a patient’s family member.

The family member wrote, “Recently my father was a patient at Rapid City Hospital. He had been in the hospital for several days before he passed, and Caleb Hansen was his daytime nurse. He was so compassionate and caring and I don’t know how my mother and I could’ve gotten through without his kindness. His willingness to be honest, while also caring, all while being extremely accommodating to our family’s needs during our difficult time did not go unnoticed.”

The patient was a veteran, and Caleb organized a Hero Walk at the time of his passing, and the family was very grateful, knowing how much it would mean to the patient. 

“Caleb went above and beyond concerning both my father’s care and how he treated my family. I can’t thank him enough for his compassion,” the nomination continued. “I know our experience would’ve been so much harder to deal with had it not been for Caleb. He is a truly wonderful human being and an asset to your institution.”

The DAISY Award recognizes the outstanding professionalism and compassion that nurses bring to patients and families every day. It was established by the DAISY Foundation in California in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of an autoimmune disease. DAISY is an acronym for “diseases attacking the immune system.” Nurses in Rapid City are selected 12 times a year for this recognition. Nurses are also honored in Custer, Lead-Deadwood, Spearfish and Sturgis. Visit monument.health/daisy to nominate.