Pautler Receives DAISY Award at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital

Molly Pautler, BSN, RN, was recently recognized with Avera Sacred Heart Hospital’s quarterly DAISY Award. She is a float nurse at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital and goes to all units based upon the need.

Avera Sacred Heart Hospital is pleased to announce that Molly Pautler, 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.

Pautler has been a nurse at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital for more than 26 years. She currently serves as a float nurse who helps in whatever hospital unit she is needed. However, her favorite unit to work in is the Women’s and Children's Center.

Pautler was nominated for the DAISY Award by the parents of a pediatric patient who was in the hospital for a bacterial infection.

“The first 48 hours were incredibly frightening,” they wrote in their nomination letter. “We couldn't touch or hold our sweet boy without causing him more pain and blisters. It was heartbreaking to watch. During our stay at Avera, we were fortunate to have many exceptional nurses who supported both his care and us as parents. Molly’s shift fell in the middle of our stay and, from the moment she greeted us, she was positive and encouraging.”

Pautler was present for many of the “big wins” as the patient healed.

“With gentle coaxing … she helped guide (our son) through important steps in his recovery,” the letter stated. “It was clear that she genuinely cared for him, as well as her other patients. There were so many times I just wanted to give her a hug. Whether it was making sure he always had red popsicles, prepping his wagon rides around the hospital, encouraging his first steps in days or helping him take his first bath, she was our steady, compassionate caregiver. Through every moment, she remained calm, positive and supportive. We feel so very blessed to have had our little boy under her care.”

Pautler said she feels happy knowing how much the small things she did during the patient’s hospital stay made such an impact on both him and his parents.  

“Recognitions like this affirm that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing,” she stated. 

Early on in life, Pautler knew she wanted to be a nurse. At the age of five, she was hospitalized. The care Pautler received from a nurse during that experience was something she never forgot and inspired her to pursue her own calling to the nursing profession. 

“Being a nurse is truly who I am,” she said. “I love caring for people in general, but caring for children is so different than taking care of adults.”

Pautler said she keeps an open mind as to how to make the most impact on her patients, candidly talking with them about what they value and the goals they have for the day or the entire hospital stay.

“Most of the time in pediatrics, it is an unexpected illness bringing them to see me – so emotions are sometimes high and parents are often scared,” she stated. “Helping parents and children understand what is happening is very important. I am forever grateful to get the opportunity to work at Avera, where I am able to make the hospital experience more comfortable for patients and their loved ones.”

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.