Tania Heyerdahl and Janie Earles recognized as “Extraordinary Nurses”
Des Moines, IA – February 2013 – A medical-surgical pediatrics nurse and an emergency room nurse and are the two most recent Broadlawns Medical Center employees to receive the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Tania Heyerdahl and Janie Earles were each nominated by patients, celebrated by their colleagues and presented a special sculpture called, “A Healer’s Touch.” According to the DAISY Foundation, each piece is hand-carved by artists of the Shone Tribe in Zimbabwe.
“Even more important than the beauty of these art pieces is the shared belief we have with those who create them,” said Susan Kirsten, Chief Nursing Officer at Broadlawns Medical Center. “The Shona people hold their healers in a position of great importance to the community and feel about their healers the way The DAISY Foundation and Broadlawns feel about nurses. Tania and Janie have the hallmark attributes of compassion, capability and caring so important to our work.”
About Tania Heyerdahl, CMSRN (Med/Surg/Peds)
Tania grew up in Des Moines, graduated from North High School, attended Grand View University and earned her Associate’s Degree from DMACC in 1999. She became familiar with Broadlawns during her clinical rotations, applied for a job and has been with Broadlawns ever since. She shared that she loves the family atmosphere at Broadlawns and also enjoys the teaching aspect that helps new nurses with their careers. According to Tania, “There is always something new to learn, see, do and teach.”
Tania’s nomination included this note from the family of a patient:
“I would like to nominate Tania for the DAISY Award for being a kind and understanding nurse that takes time to listen to your wants and needs, to take time to cheer you up when you’re down, explain things to you so you can understand the problem instead of it being a bunch of big words, doing her all and going out of her way to make sure you’re comfortable and stay in a good mood. In the three days I’ve known Tania she is not only a nurse but a friend. My wife feels the same. If Patrick would have met her he probably would have felt the same way we do.” - Mike
Tania and her husband, Pat; stepson, Ben; daughter, Makenna; and son, Davis live in Waukee.
About Janie Earles, RN (Emergency Department)
Janie grew up in Colfax, graduated from Grand View University in 2001 and started a career in medical orthopedic sales. In 2006 Janie returned to Grand View and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and went to work at Ingersoll Family Physicians and then the VA Medical Center in the Med/Surg unit. She joined Broadlawns in April 2012 working in the Emergency Department and says “it was a great decision.”
Janie also shared she loves that no two days are ever the same and feels lucky “to work with awesome nurses and doctors who keep even crazy and stressful days fun!”
Within her nomination came this note of support from a patient:
“Janie was very personable, friendly and easy-going from the very moment she came into the exam room. She listened and empathized in a very genuine manner. She didn’t act like I was just another patient and did not rush around. She actually sat, listened and even shared personal information about herself which helped me feel very comfortable with her. She kept me apprised of what was going to happen and did NOT ignore me or leave me guessing as to what was going on. Janie is a great asset to the Broadlawns ER and I hope I see her again if I need to visit the BMC ER again.”
- Laura (patient)
Janie lives in Colfax and her family includes her mother, Nancy; father, Don; her younger sister, Jackie; her significant other, Trevor; and her “pooch”, Lincoln; and they will have a new little guy (name to be determined) at the end of April.
About the Daisy Award
The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was formed in January 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease. The Barnes Family, most impressed and appreciative of the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, created this national award to recognize the super-human work of nurses and to honor the compassion and care that nurses provide their patients every day. The awards are coordinated by the Broadlawns Nursing Professionalism Council.
About Broadlawns
Broadlawns Medical Center first opened its doors as a hospital to the residents of Polk County in 1924. Over the years, Broadlawns has adapted to the changing demands of public health care, yet remained true to its mission of offering quality health services to all Polk County residents and training tomorrow’s health care professionals. Today Broadlawns Medical Center is composed of:
- An acute care community hospital serving medical, surgical, mental health and primary care needs.
- A 60-member physician practice overseeing numerous specialty clinics and outpatient services.
- A Family Medicine Residency Program that graduates physician leaders who today serve in 22 of Iowa’s 99 counties.
For more information visit www.Broadlawns.org.
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