Jess Owczarek, Registered Nurse, Receives DAISY Award

Jess Owczarek, a Registered Nurse at Rapid City Hospital Labor and Delivery, 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. She was nominated by a patient.

The patient was in the unit for several months and found that Jess always stood out as a nurse who goes above and beyond, is humble and compassionate. The patient wrote,” Jess has been extremely encouraging and supportive for myself and my family. She has so many wonderful qualities of being generous, compassionate, kind, giving of herself and she is happy to be at work. You can really tell she enjoys her career and taking care of others!”

The patient continued, “I am so blessed to have Jess as my nurse during my time at the hospital. Jess has definitely helped me carry this heavy cross with me and my family, and I cannot express enough in words how much I appreciate her care.”

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.