Yuriy Zbyrak, RN, a registered nurse in the cardiac intensive care unit at Temple University Hospital-Main Campus, recently received a DAISY Award for providing reassurance, education, and care to a patient he recently treated.
The patient was under Zbyrak’s care following open-heart surgery and valve replacement.
“It was the hardest week of my life and I did not know what to expect,” the patient wrote in his DAISY Award nomination of Zbyrak. “When I first regained consciousness after being intubated and sedated, Yuriy was my nurse. He was incredibly supportive as I learned how to speak again. When I felt discouraged because I could not breathe or speak properly, Yuriy offered words of encouragement. As my speech improved, he answered every question I had, whether it was about my care or even casual conversations about movies and life. Throughout my week there, he became a familiar and friendly face. I was almost sad to leave the CICU without saying goodbye, but thankfully, on my last day, I was able to hug him and do so.”
“He consistently went above and beyond for his patients and devoted himself to helping me recover and become the best version of myself,” the patient wrote, in concluding his nomination.
About the DAISY Award
Hospitals and health systems have been recognizing exceptional nurses for compassionate and skilled care by conferring DAISY Awards for more than a quarter-century. Created in 1999, the DAISY Award honors the memory of J. Patrick Burnes, who died from an autoimmune disease. Moved by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, the Burnes family created the DAISY Award international award to say thank you to nurses everywhere. DAISY stands for diseases attacking the immune system, the affliction that claimed Patrick’s life.
Read more about other Temple Health nurses who have recently won DAISY Awards, including Maryellen Bower, Patricia Loeber, and Brandon Everett.