Avera Queen of Peace Hospital is pleased to announce that Amanda Patzer, RN, is the first recipient of our new quarterly nurse recognition program called the DAISY Award.
The DAISY Program honors and celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide every day. DAISY is an acronym for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System.” The DAISY Award has grown into a meaningful recognition program embraced by health care organizations around the world, including multiple Avera facilities.
Nurses at any Avera Queen of Peace facilities are eligible to receive the DAISY Award.
Patzer began working in the Women’s Center at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in May of 2015 and is also a certified lactation consultant.
The mother who nominated Patzer described her two deliveries with the nurse as “the best.”
“My first experience with her was in 2022,” the nomination stated. “After my delivery, I was having a ton of issues and was hemorrhaging pretty badly. Amanda stayed very positive and caring throughout my whole stay and even checked on me after I had left the hospital.
“When I came back (in 2024) for my second delivery, Amanda was my nurse again and she made me feel so special because she remembered and recognized me,” the former patient continued. “She helped me through a tough delivery again and stayed so positive and caring throughout the whole experience. She even got to see my first child again, and she had made a cute gift for him, too!”
She said that Patzer was not only compassionate but also made her feel safe when she was scared and worried.
“She showed me that, even though I was terrified, I can push through the pain and get to the other side of my delivery. Amanda is an amazing nurse, and I’m so blessed to have met her and experienced her care, love and devotion to being a nurse. Avera Queen of Peace is blessed to have her as one of their nurses caring for their patients.”
Patzer said her goal is to approach each work shift and each patient with kindness and a calming nature.
“I feel lucky to be a part of such a special time for families every time I come to work,” she said. “I do what I can to make the experience memorable for them.”
Patzer is humbled and honored to be a recipient of the Daisy Award.
“I love my job,” she continued. “The nurses, doctors and patients that I get to work with are the best. I don’t think I would be recognized for my work if it wasn’t for the team I’m surrounded by.”
A committee of Avera employees evaluates the DAISY Award nominations and selects a winner every quarter.