Three cancer nurses presented with a Daisy Award for extraordinary nurses

At a recent Daisy Awards celebration in Halifax, three cancer care nurses were honoured by patients who described the exceptional difference their nurses made in helping to ease their journey with cancer. Josh Nosel was described as a ‘nurse who cares for souls’, Doug Richardson was recognized for being present and ‘pulling a patient out of a very dark place’ and Katelyn Day was described as an ‘an Olympic coach’ helping a patient … beat cancer. 

Josh Nosel, research nurse coordinator with hematology, was nominated by Elaine Whalen, for embodying “the heart of nursing: compassion, intelligence, integrity and commitment….Josh’s knowledge and skill are exceptional, but it’s the compassion behind them that has truly amazed me,” Elaine said.  “Josh listens deeply and possesses clear, compassionate communication… To Josh this work isn’t just a job – it’s a calling.  Through this calling, he has touched countless lives, leaving behind a legacy of hope and healing that will never be forgotten.  There are nurses who care for patients – and then there are nurses like Josh who care for souls.”

 Doug Richardson, a hematology nurse, was nominated by Colm Stockdale, for being present at a very difficult moment in his cancer journey. “During my cancer treatment, I went through an extremely difficult moment where I felt completely overwhelmed and was thinking about ending my life,” said Colm. “Doug recognized right away that something was wrong.  Instead of rushing on to the next task, he stayed with me – standing beside me, speaking to me calmly, and giving me his full attention at a time when I desperately needed support. His steady presence, his compassion, and the respect he showed me helped pull me out of a very dark place.  What he did for me went far beyond medical care.”

Katelyn Day, radiation oncology nurse, was nominated by David Arenburg for being the one constant person on the care team throughout my cancer journey.  “For the past two years, Katie has been my go-to person for all matters pertaining to the treatment of my cancer. While Katie’s main focus is radiation oncology, she has been and is to this day, my central contact person,” said David. “She … has provided me with guidance to help me better understand the numerous treatments I have or will receive. From day one, Katie laid out the road map of my cancer journey. Thereafter, every time she and I met, she would clearly communicate what I could expect and what would be expected of me. Katie has comforted, corrected and supported me during my many ups and downs. In my mind, in this game of beating cancer, she is my Olympic coach.”

Josh, Doug and Katelyn were three of 22 nurses nominated for Daisy Awards. Nominees included: Emma Gray, Brandon DeYoung, Cassandra Cole, Danielle Worth, Jillian McCracken, Sarah Greene, Brooke Vickery, Taylor Conran, Gracyn Appleby, Jennifer LaChance, Dan Lord, Kaitlyn McPhee, Hillary Ripley, Aleiaj Papa, Brittany Geizer, Laura Lee, Julie MacDonald, Tricia Brown, Carmen Co-Dyre.

Congratulations to all!

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.  Read more here