Virginia (Ginner) Burnham, Registered Nurse (RN) at Eaton Rapids Medical Center (ERMC), received the 2024 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at a ceremony held on June 17, 2024.
Ginner has been an RN for over 45 years and began working at ERMC’s Emergency Department (ER) in October 2022. Ginner had received a nomination on her behalf from a patient she cared for this past year. On May 19, the patient, who was from out of state, arrived in the ER in anaphylactic shock from something they had eaten.
The nomination submitted by the patient read, in part, “I was nervous as I wasn’t with family. I was with strangers in a strange town, and she just made everything better. When a situation like this happens to you, and you are alone and wake up in an ER, someone like Ginner is who you want to find by your side.”
The patient described Ginner as a competent and comforting nurse who knew everything and was on top of it until they were discharged.
In addition to the award, Ginner received a bouquet of daisies, a Daisy Award pin, and a handmade sculpture entitled “A Healer’s Touch.”
“I feel so blessed to take care of others, especially children and elderly,” said Ginner. “I would mother everyone if given the chance.”
Marissa Amboy, Emergency and Respiratory Manager, described Ginner as a very sweet and kind person. “She knows her stuff and is often sought out for her opinion when other nurses have questions,” said Marissa. “From her witty jokes to her hard work and compassion towards her patients, we are so lucky to have her on our team!”
This award was created in 1999 by the DAISY Foundation to honor extraordinary nurses who go above and beyond to make a difference in patients’ and families’ experiences in healthcare. ERMC joins facilities all over the world in participating in this recognition program to celebrate nurses and the skilled, compassionate, dedicated care they deliver every day.
To learn more about the DAISY Award and the DAISY Foundation, visit https://daisyfoundation.org/daisy-award.