Published: Jan. 25, 2016
When facing a language barrier, music often helps bridge the gap.
Experiencing difficulty communicating and establishing any type of rapport with an elderly Indian Patient, Irma de Garcia, RN, found Indian music popular decades ago, learned verses and sang songs with the woman in her room at Sparrow Hospital.
Garcia has been presented with the DAISY Award to honor her actions, going above and beyond to put the needs of the Patient first. She was nominated by Edward Sladek, M.D.
“What she did was typical Irma,” said Dr. Sladek. “It was the only time I saw the Patient respond to much of anything and communicate with any of us.”
DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, and the DAISY Award is a national program created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes died in 1999 of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, or ITP at 33 years old. His family was overwhelmed by the skillful and amazingly compassionate Nurses that cared for Pat, and the DAISY Foundation and Award were created as an expression of their gratitude.
The DAISY Award is a way to recognize and make visible the contribution and value of Nurses wherever nursing is practiced.
Garcia received a certificate, a DAISY pin to wear at work and beautiful serpentine stone sculpture carved by the artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. The sculpture depicts the embracing relationship Nurses have with their Patients.