Monument Health Rapid City Hospital nurse wins DAISY Award

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Jan. 10, 2020) – Matt Merfeld, Registered Nurse with the Intensive Care Unit at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, has been recognized with the prestigious DAISY Award. A national program, the award is presented to nurses across the United States who go above and beyond for their patients and community. Matt was nominated by a former patient who said he was a guardian angel during a very difficult time.

“When I’d wake up while being sedated, I remember his voice. It was kind and sincere, and I trusted what he said and tried to relax and fell back to sleep,” the patient said. “Matt is a very passionate nurse. He explained what happened after I woke up, and if I needed him, he came back into the room to see what I needed and made me very comfortable.” The patient also included that Matt stayed longer than his scheduled shift to make sure they were okay.

The DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses recognizes those who display dedication to the health and wellness of their patients. The DAISY Award 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.” The DAISY Award continues to recognize and celebrate the outstanding professionalism and compassion that nurses bring to patients and their families every day.

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. In January 2020, Monument Health will be renamed Monument Health, and it will become a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. The system offers care in 33 medical specialties and serves 20 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 4,500 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is comprised of 5 hospitals, 8 specialty and surgical centers and more than 40 medical clinics and health care service centers.

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CONTACT:
Stephany Chalberg
Public Relations Manager
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Monument Health
605-755-9086
schalberg@monument.health