Martin receives DAISY award for providing compassionate care to IVH residents
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Over the last three years, The DAISY Foundation has honored one Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) nurse for providing compassionate care. On Tuesday, the recipient of the Daisy Award was Meri Martin, chosen from a pool of 25 IVH nominees during a ceremony.
RN Nursing Services Director Amanda Thill read the reason for Martin's nomination.
"Meri was nominated for going above and beyond for providing a resident with the education for a seamless transition to the community," she said.
IVH Administrator of Nursing Sarah Bruner said she was honored to announce IVH's third Daisy Award recipient before she read Martin's name aloud to great applause.
Bruner added Martin has been employed at IVH since 2004 and had actually received three nominations. Two of the nominations touted Martin's efforts in creating a binder for a discharged resident, along with meeting with a social worker and pharmacist, ensuring he received the care he needed after leaving IVH.
Bruner read Martin's nominations aloud.
"Meri continuously goes out of her way to ensure residents get the care they need and deserve while also watching over her peers and helping them in any way she can," she read from one nomination form. "She is a strong advocate for continuity of care and teamwork. . . . Meri always puts others’ needs in front of her own. She is selfless. Resident care is at the top of her list of priorities with her peers coming in at a close second. She believes in fairness and equality for everyone, and doesn't believe any job at IVH is more important than another."
Bruner read then read the other nomination as Martin stood behind her on the stage in Malloy Hall.
"Meri is a dedicated and involved nurse. . . She has an amazing heart, commitment to do what is best," she read. " . . . As a nurse, she is loyal to her residents."
The third nomination stated Martin was an excellent nurse and team player who builds a rapport with residents.
"The residents and their families feel heard, not rushed," Bruner read. " . . . Our team jokes and calls Meri 'Positive Polly,' because when you talk with Meri, she automatically gives everyone the benefit of a doubt. . . . She is a wonderful advocate to have in your corner and she's an excellent listener which helps her as a nurse."
In addition to the award, flowers and a cinnamon roll – the latter which is something which every nominee receives – Martin was given a Daisy Award pin, a bag and a "Healer's Touch" sculpture, representing the bond between nurses and their patients. The sculpture was handcarved from serpentine stone and signed by the Zimbabwean artist who created it.
The DAISY (which is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was founded by the family of Patrick Barnes, who was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at the age of 33. During his eight-week hospital stay, he and his family experienced and witnessed extraordinary compassionate nursing care. After his death, the Barnes family developed the foundation to honor nurses who provide such care.
Previous recipients have been Bonnie Linsenmeyer in 2025 and Erica Williams in 2024.
Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.