Photo credit: Community Healthcare System
(KMZA)--Community HealthCare System is proud to announce that Kelly Haug, Home Health RN, has been selected as the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing, an international recognition honoring nurses whose clinical excellence and compassionate care make a lasting impact.
Haug was nominated by a grateful patient who shared a powerful story of the support she received following major surgery. After returning home from KU Medical Center with a urostomy and an open surgical incision, the patient required complex, ongoing care. For 24 weeks, Haug visited the patient’s home two to three times each week—often returning again the very next day when complications or concerns arose.
“Sometimes I was just a mess mentally,” the patient wrote. “She helped us learn how to put the ostomy bags on and how to clean it and my incision. My husband had to learn how to change my urostomy bag, change my incision bandage, and how to put nu-gauze in it. This nurse was leading him through the process the whole time. I have texted her, called her, and she has come running for us.”
With the patient’s incision and urostomy located extremely close together, keeping dressings and ostomy bags in place was an ongoing challenge. When a wound vac was later added—bringing new complexity—Haug again provided steady guidance, hands-on teaching, and unwavering reassurance.
“We want everyone to know how much we appreciate all she has done,” the patient shared.
Community HealthCare System’s Chief Nursing Officer, Mindy Olberding praised Haug for exemplifying the highest standards of nursing.
“This story captures the very heart of what nursing is,” Olberding said. “Kelly not only delivered exceptional clinical care—she brought comfort, dignity, and unwavering support during one of the most challenging times in this patient’s life. We are incredibly proud to honor her with the DAISY Award.”
The Home Health Nurse Manager, Kristi Hutfles also expressed deep admiration for Haug’s dedication.
“Home health nursing requires a unique blend of expertise, patience, and compassion,” Hutfles said. Kelly embodies all of that and more. She empowers patients, supports families, and delivers care with extraordinary commitment. We are fortunate to have her on our team.”
Community HealthCare System extends heartfelt congratulations to Kelly Haug for this well-deserved honor and thanks her for the remarkable difference she makes in the lives of patients and families.
The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died of complications of the autoimmune disease idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. During Barnes’ eight-week hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided. One of the goals they set in creating a foundation in Pat's memory was to recognize extraordinary nurses who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people through the superhuman work they do every day. In pursuit of this goal, the family created the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The simple award and thank you to nurses have grown into a meaningful recognition program embraced by healthcare organizations around the world.
