Carson Valley Health Announces June 2024 DAISY Nursing Award Winner

Congratulations to Melissa Frager, RN for earning the 2024 Summer DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing at Carson Valley Health. Melissa was one of several nominations by patients and colleagues, and the story of her compassion rose to the top.

Melissa Frager, RN has worked as a nurse for 10 years and has been with CVH for the last 8 years. As an accident-prone youth, she spent time in and out of hospitals, and enjoyed the hospital atmosphere. She entered healthcare to give back. Melissa said of winning the DAISY award “It’s nice to know that what I do makes a difference in a patient’s life, instead of working and not knowing the outcome of the patient.” She hopes to continue to make a difference in healthcare, perhaps by teaching nursing students.

Nurse Melissa was nominated by Lisa Filbin, who brought her 85-year-old mother to the emergency room from her memory care facility last Christmas. After thorough testing, providers realized her mom had congestive heart failure. “Melissa was amazing, sweet, kind and realistic. She did everything she could to run tests and support our family who were all home to celebrate Christmas together.”

A lifetime in Carson Valley means Melissa has many community ties, including to Lisa. Lisa has cared for Melissa’s young children.

Emergency Department Manager Monica Green says of Melissa “she is a natural leader in the unit. Currently she is helping us achieve our American Heart Association certification. She is fair and compassionate to her patients, even when she’s busy and the ER is stressful. I’m proud of her, and excited for her DAISY award win.”

Ms. Filbin summed up her experience with this to say “CVH has an amazing staff, sweet and knowledgeable and supportive. And to have this available in town so we don’t have to go somewhere else. You can feel comfortable and confident bringing your family or yourself and know you’ll get the best care. You guys are doing a great job.”

From the DAISY Foundation website “The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died from complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Award® is a special honor given to extraordinary nurses for the compassionate contributions they make every day going above and beyond expectations in science and sensitivity.”

To nominate a nurse who went above and beyond for a DAISY Award visit our website at CarsonValleyHealth.org/patients-visitors/daisy-award-nominate-a-nurse/