Kristen Ostheim, R.N., has been recognized as the June 2018 DAISY Award Winner for FirstHealth of the Carolinas.

Ostheim is a nurse at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst and currently works on the Inpatient Oncology Unit.

She was nominated by a patient’s wife who, in the nomination, said, “My husband was told on June 29, 2018 that his cancer had returned and that it was terminal. He had been sick for quite a while before receiving this news, and was admitted to the hospital on the same day that we received the news.

“The care Kristen provided to my husband was exceptional. Not only was she kind to my sick husband, but also to me, his wife, as well. I cannot adequately put into words how kind and caring she was. She offered hugs so many times. She talked to me and was very compassionate.

“When caring for my husband, I felt she really did everything humanly possible to care for him, to be compassionate, to be kind, and to help him maintain his dignity. While doing all of this, she was also able to make him smile and laugh. Even on the days she was assigned other patients, she always found a way to pop into his room to check on both him and myself.

”I can never thank her enough for the care and concern she showed to my husband most importantly, but also to me. I feel very fortunate that my husband and I were lucky enough to have had her working at FirstHealth to care for him. Kristen went above and beyond to do everything possible for my husband.

“Unfortunately, my husband passed away on July 11, 2018 while in hospice. Even though I am so sad and my heart is hurting so much, I wanted to take the time to thank Kristen for everything, and to let FirstHealth know how lucky they are to have such an amazing nurse like Kristen.”

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses was established by the Daisy Foundation, a not-for-profit, based in Glen Ellen, Calif. The foundation was started by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease.

The care Barnes and his family received from nurses inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patients’ families. Today, there are more than 2,800 health care facilities in all 50 states and 17 other countries honoring their nurses with the DAISY Award.

FirstHealth of the Carolinas, which includes Moore Regional Hospital, Moore Regional Hospital – Richmond, Moore Regional Hospital – Hoke and Montgomery Memorial Hospital, recognizes an extraordinary nurse each month, and has since 2014. For more information on the DAISY Award, or to nominate a deserving nurse, visit www.firsthealth.org/daisy.

Feature photo: Kristen Ostheim, R.N., has been recognized as the June 2018 DAISY Award Winner for FirstHealth of the Carolinas. Ostheim (center, holding award) is pictured with (from left to right): Deana Kearns, R.N., MSN, administrative director of corporate education and professional development; Brenda Caddell, R.N., clinical director of inpatient oncology; Karen Robeano, DNP, R.N., chief nursing officer for FirstHealth of the Carolinas; and Debbie Brand, R.N., BSN, clinical practice/magnet coordinator. For more information on the DAISY Award, or to nominate a deserving nurse, visit www.firsthealth.org/daisy.