Danielle Longwell, RN, receives DAISY Award

Photo Link: Danielle Longwell, RN

RAPID CITY, S.D. (DEC. 30, 2022) – Danielle Longwell, a Registered Nurse at Rapid City Hospital ONS, has received the prestigious DAISY Award. A national program, the award is presented to nurses who go above and beyond for their patients and community. Danielle was nominated by a patient’s family member.

The patient had an accident during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and had to be transferred to Rapid City Hospital because of his injuries. His wife and mother were in Ohio and didn’t have a lot of information about the patient’s condition. Danielle was able to provide the patient’s wife with details about his injuries and treatment.

The patient’s mother wrote, “Danielle kept her completely updated and reassured her as to the extent of his injuries and that he was doing ok. She answered every question we asked patiently and thoroughly.”

After they were able to fly to Rapid City, they met Danielle and she continued to provide help and support. “Danielle took such good care of my son. When we arrived, she and another nurse assisted us in obtaining food and answering all of our questions. Danielle even got permission from her supervisor to let us sleep in the room with him. She kept his medications on schedule and even gave us pointers on transportation back to the airport once he was cleared to fly home,” the patient’s mother continued. “Your staff took a very scary situation and turned it into a manageable one with ease. My son’s wife and I felt helpless and like we couldn’t get to Rapid City fast enough, but we had full confidence in his medical staff. We knew that they were taking great care of him, based on the conversations we had in the 36 hours we were waiting to leave and while we were in transit. Your staff took a frightening situation and made it so much better, and we are all forever grateful to literally everyone there.”

The DAISY Award recognizes the outstanding professionalism and compassion that nurses bring to patients and families every day. It was established by the DAISY Foundation in California in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of an autoimmune disease. DAISY is an acronym for “diseases attacking the immune system.” Nurses in Rapid City are selected 12 times a year for this recognition. Nurses are also honored in Custer, Lead-Deadwood, Spearfish and Sturgis. Visit monument.health/daisy to nominate.

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About Monument Health

Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. The system offers care in 31 medical specialties and serves 14 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 5,000 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is composed of 5 hospitals and 40 medical clinics and specialty centers. Monument Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

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