February 2, 2010

Broadlawns Nurse Earns First DAISY Award in Des Moines

DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb.2, 2010)  --  Marilyn Hein, RN, has been awarded the first DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Broadlawns Medical Center.  Hein is a nurse in the Broadlawns Family Birthing Center and is the breastfeeding expert, educating both patients and staff about breastfeeding. 

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, awestruck by 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 Nursing Professionalism Council and are presented quarterly. 

"We are so proud of Marilyn's deserving recognition from the DAISY Foundation," said Susan Kirstein, chief nursing officer at Broadlawns. "Not only is she the first to receive this award in Des Moines, she is one of only a handful of nurses in Iowa who have received this honor. She truly exemplifies what nursing is all about as she goes the extra mile for her patients who need support and education." 

Hein's nomination also cited her respect for a diverse population of patients, stating an awareness and understanding of the cultural differences in birth and breastfeeding practices and her ability to take these differences into account when educating patients.

Hein initiated the Breast-feeding Support Group that meets monthly at Broadlawns and is a member of  the Polk County Breastfeeding Coalition. She was instrumental in involving Broadlawns and the Family Birthing Center  in the first national survey of maternity practices in infant nutrition and care conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  in 2007.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award," stated Hein.  "Broadlawns has provided a wonderfully supportive environment in the Family Birthing Center for breastfeeding mothers. My hope is to continue to improve the practices and policies that lead an exemplary maternity practice."

Broadlawns Medical Center first opened its doors as a hospital to the residents of Polk County on April 13, 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 

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