Klug Honored With Avera Sacred Heart Hospital DAISY Award

Karley Klug, BSN, RN

Avera Sacred Heart Hospital is pleased to announce that Karley Klug, BSN, RN, is the most recent recipient of our 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 Sacred Heart facilities are eligible to receive the DAISY Award.

Klug joined Avera@Home in 2020 as a case manager, providing home health and hospice care throughout the Yankton region. She transitioned to the Avera Oncology and Hematology clinic located at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in December 2023 to work as an infusion nurse.

Klug was nominated for the DAISY Award by a patient for whom she has administered chemotherapy treatment over the last 18 months.

“From the very first day, she has stood out not only for her clinical expertise but also for her extraordinary ability to connect with her patients on a personal level,” the patient wrote in the nomination letter. “Karley takes the time to listen, engage in meaningful conversation and make every visit feel more like a comforting interaction with a friend than a medical appointment.”

Oftentimes, the patient’s grandson accompanied them to appointments, and Klug took the time to help him feel comfortable and at ease.

“Karley goes out of her way to explain to him what she is doing in a calm and reassuring way,” the patient wrote. “Her gentle approach has helped him overcome his fear of medical procedures, and we both truly appreciate the kindness she shows him.”

When the grandson organized a Kool-Aid stand to raise funds for the patient’s cancer treatment, Karley brought her own family to the event.

“(It showed) not just kindness, but a heartfelt commitment to my family's well-being,” the patient shared. “This gesture meant the world to us, and it's a perfect example of the care and compassion she shows every day. Karley is a rare individual who consistently goes above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others.

“Her dedication to providing patient-centered, compassionate care is unmatched, and I am incredibly grateful to have had her by my side throughout my treatment,” the patient continued. “Her professionalism, thoughtfulness and genuine care make Karley the ideal candidate for the DAISY Award. On behalf of my family and me, I want to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness, care and love she has shown us.”

Klug said winning the DAISY Award is an incredible honor because it represents the heart of nursing —compassion, advocacy and presence during some of the most vulnerable moments in a person’s life. 

“Being a nurse means more to me than providing medical care; it means truly seeing my patients as people, listening to their fears and supporting them with empathy and respect,” she said. “It is a privilege to be trusted during such critical moments, and this award reaffirms why I chose this profession — to make a meaningful difference, one patient and one family at a time.

Klug endeavors to listen to patients and their families, understand their concerns and involve them.

“I strive to provide not only safe and knowledgeable clinical care, but also emotional support, education and reassurance,” she stated. “By meeting patients and families where they are — physically and emotionally — I aim to create a supportive environment that promotes comfort, dignity and confidence throughout their journey.”

Nursing has taught Klug the importance of small moments and the power of simply being present. 

“While hospice and oncology nursing can be emotionally challenging, they are also profoundly rewarding,” she said. “The lessons I have learned from my patients have shaped me both personally and professionally, allowing me to provide care with greater empathy and understanding. I am also so grateful to work alongside a dedicated team of professionals whose collaboration, support and shared commitment to excellence allow us to provide the best care for our patients and their families. Being recognized for this award is deeply meaningful and reinforces my commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.”

A committee of community members and 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/4381.