Francois Basunga, RN, who works in the TUH-Main Campus RICU, was recently honored with the DAISY Award. He was singled out for embodying the very best of nursing—from dedicated, compassionate care to patient advocacy to clinical expertise to mentorship—as this excerpt from his nomination shows:
“Francois truly represents what it means to be an extraordinary nurse. He provides the best care for his patients, treating each person with compassion, respect, and genuine kindness. You can always feel how deeply he cares for his patients and their wellbeing. He’s one of the strongest patient advocates I’ve ever seen, always speaking up for what’s right and ensuring every patient’s needs are met, no matter how big or small.
What stands out most about Francois is his dedication and work ethic. No matter the challenges of the day, he keeps going. He never hesitates to help others, whether it’s assisting a coworker, supporting physicians with his clinical knowledge, or comforting a worried family member.
Francois also takes time to ensure families are well-informed and comfortable. I’ve seen him sit at a patient’s bedside, empathetically and clearly explaining the plan of care, goals, and outcomes in simple, easy-to-understand terms. His calm communication brings trust and comfort to patients and their loved ones during challenging moments.
Francois is also an incredible mentor. When orienting new-to-practice nurses, he dedicates time to teaching, guiding, and encouraging critical thinking. His patience and willingness to share his knowledge help new nurses grow in both skill and confidence, ultimately improving the quality and safety of patient care.
Francois truly goes above and beyond for everyone: his patients, their families, and his team. His compassion, knowledge, and relentless dedication inspire everyone around him. He is the kind of nurse who reminds us why we chose this profession, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the DAISY Award.”
The DAISY Award was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away from an autoimmune disease. The Barnes family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, and created this international award to say thank you to nurses everywhere.