VA nurse honored for extraordinary care to vets

Kelly Birk, a nurse with the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center’s Cape Girardeau clinic, has been honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®.

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day.

Birk was nominated by a veteran patient who said she “not only did her job, but went above and beyond” with his care.

The veteran described her knowledgeable and compassionate care in listening to and reviewing his health care concerns and assisting him with various clinical and administrative needs.

“Thank you, Kelly and the Cape Clinic,” he concluded.

Birk is a licensed practical nurse from Jackson, Missouri, who has three veteran family members.

“I thought coming to work for VA would be a good way to give back to our vets,” she said, adding she also enjoys working with “great people.”

Birk was caught off guard and moved to tears when her name was announced during the ceremony.

“I had no idea,” she said, admitting she’s not comfortable with being the center of attention. “But, I was grateful and honored that someone would take the time to do that for me,” she added.

The award included a sculpture called The Healer’s Touch. Hand-carved by artists in Zimbabwe, each piece is signed by one of the many Shona artists that The DAISY Foundation supports.

Chandra Miller, associate director for patient care services and chief nursing officer said, “Kelly exhibits the highest standards of professionalism and compassion and is very deserving of this award.

“We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program. Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.”