Gail Allen recipient of the Bee Award at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital

Gail Allen recipient of the Bee Award at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital

LUDINGTON — Gail Allen, inpatient unit secretary at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, was selected as the Bee Award winner by Emily Bowman, RN, who was named as the DAISY Award winner. The DAISY Award celebrates and honors extraordinary nurses. Each DAISY recipient gets to select someone who helps the nurse in caring for the patient, and Bowman selected Allen.

“Gail is someone we all count on for assistance,” said Bowman. “I nominated Gail for the Bee Award because she is our ‘go-to’ person for so many needs throughout our shifts. Gail fully supports all of the nurses and nurse techs, always giving 100 percent effort every single day. She has a passion for our patients and their well-being, and she knows that by helping the medical care team she is helping our patients.”

“I was surprised to find out I had been selected for the Bee Award,” said Allen. “I actually thought that it was only for nurses and nurse technicians. I learned that I had been selected when I walked into the room to attend the ceremony. It’s very nice to be acknowledged by a co-worker, and I appreciate that Emily thinks highly enough of me to name me as her Bee. I just get a lot of satisfaction in helping others.”

Allen has worked at what is now Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital since 2009 (previously Memorial Medical Center). Before that she lived and worked on the east side of the state at Beaumont Hospital for 16 years as a unit secretary and in other positions.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. 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 are nominated for the DAISY Award by patients, families and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of nurses at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Awards are given multiple times a year, with each honoree given the opportunity to select another Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital team member, in any department, who they feel has helped them in their role caring for patients.

The DAISY and Bee awards are given throughout Spectrum Health.