CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Jennifer Hogue, RN, a nurse at Adventist Health Clear Lake was honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses during the hospital’s annual Nurses Week celebrations on May 8.

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day.

Hogue, a nurse since 1994, currently works in the Surgery Department at Adventist Health Clear Lake. She has served patients at the hospital since 2004.

In her first role as clinical information systems coordinator she established a program to bring Pacific Union College Nursing Students to Clearlake for clinical instruction, a program that still exists today.

She has also worked as a nursing supervisor, employee health nurse, and case manager before taking her role in surgery.

Hogue was nominated for the DAISY Award by her many grateful coworkers and patients at Adventist Health Clear Lake. She is known for her calming voice and a smile that helps bring comfort and reassurance to patients.

Coworkers comment that Hogue lives the mission every day as a tireless patient advocate who insures high quality clinical care is provided and individual rights for self-determination are honored. She is someone who unknowingly inspires those around her as a nurse who has faith, does not fear, and strives to do her best.

“Nurses are heroes every day,” said Colleen Assavapisitkul, RN, MSN, vice president of patient care. “It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued. Special recognitions such as the DAISY Award allow us to share our gratitude for our nurses’ dedication and skills.”

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.)

The care Barnes 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.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at Adventist Health Clear Lake to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented once a year at a celebration attended by the Honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors.

Hogue received a certificate commending her as an "extraordinary nurse." The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people."

She also received a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.