Couch Honored with Avera Queen of Peace Hospital DAISY Award

Breanna “Bre” Couch, RN, BSN

Avera Queen of Peace Hospital is pleased to announce that Breanna “Bre” Couch, RN, BSN, is the most recent recipient of its quarterly nurse recognition program called the DAISY Award.

The DAISY Program honors and celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide every day. DAISY is an acronym for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System.” The DAISY Award has grown into a meaningful recognition program embraced by health care organizations around the world, including multiple Avera facilities.

Nurses at any Avera Queen of Peace facilities are eligible to receive the DAISY Award.

Couch has cared for intensive care unit (ICU) patients at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital for the last 5 years. She has been with Avera for 11 years total, having also worked as a staffing assistant and a dialysis technician.

Couch was nominated for the DAISY Award by the granddaughter of a patient, who said the family “could not ask for anyone better to take care of our husband/dad/grandpa.”

“Bre not only gave him the best care but also made sure every single one of my family members there (which was a lot) were doing OK,” the nomination letter stated. “She was always asking if we needed anything, if we had any questions or simply how we were doing.”

Couch went out of her way to celebrate wins and was also quick to take action when there was an issue.

“Most importantly, she will be the first person to advocate for her patients,” the nomination said. “Bre treats her patients like they are her own family. She is kind and compassionate and carries herself with such grace.”

The family member was also impressed with how Couch worked with a nursing intern that was training alongside her.

“In the midst of the chaos that comes with working in the ICU, you can tell Bre still takes time to make everything a teaching moment so her students are able to learn and experience everything before they head off on their own,” the letter stated. “There isn't anyone more deserving than Bre to earn this award. She has made our journey in the ICU the best that it can possibly be. We are so thankful for all of her hard work and the long hours she has spent with our entire family!”

Couch said being recognized with a DAISY Award is an honor and also demonstrates the great teamwork that occurs in the ICU.

“I had an intern student and was working closely with other disciplines within the hospital (while caring for this individual),” she stated. “I love working with every member of our team to provide top-notch care to our patients. I truly believe we have the best team here at Avera Queen of Peace, from nursing to kitchen staff.”

Couch shared that she tries to treat every patient like she would want herself or her family treated. 

“Often times, patients come to us on their worst day, and I try to make their day a little better,” she said.

A committee of Avera employees evaluates the DAISY Award nominations and selects a winner every quarter. 

The DAISY Foundation was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at age 33 in 1999 from complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

For more information, visit DaisyFoundation.org.

Anyone who has had a positive nursing care experience can nominate a deserving nurse for a DAISY award by filling out the online form at daisynomination.org/5357.