At Central Maine Healthcare, we believe in excellence. We are committed to ensuring our nursing and technical support teams provide the best possible care for our patients, but we are also committed to a professional work environment that keeps our team members content and fulfilled. We achieve this through continuing education, opportunities for career advancement, and standards of practice and accountability approved by team members, including the Regional RN Professional Practice Council, the Clinical Practice Committee and Nursing Grand Rounds.
We also celebrate our team members who go above and beyond with professional recognition: the DAISY and SUNSHINE awards.
DAISY Award
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is an international program that recognizes extraordinary nurses. Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital bestow a nurse at each facility with the award quarterly.
The DAISY Foundation honors J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 at age 33 from complications of the autoimmune disease idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura. His family witnessed so much love and compassion from his nurses during his hospitalization that they have chosen to recognize extraordinary nurses in his memory.
Every DAISY honoree at Central Maine Healthcare is recognized at a public ceremony and receives a certificate, pin, small sculpture and a pan of cinnamon rolls — Patrick’s favorite food. The Barnes family hopes that whenever nurses smell that aroma, they pause and remember how special they are.
In addition to serving as role models for the nursing profession, DAISY Award winners all share the same traits:
- A passion for life
- Compassion
- Critical thinking skills
- Dedicated to patient- and family-focused care
- Patient advocacy
- Supportive of all members of the healthcare team
How to Nominate an Extraordinary Nurse
Anyone — patients, visitors, and all CMH team members — may nominate an exceptional nurse by filling out this online form. You can also download this form and either drop it in one of the specially marked boxes at the hospital or mail it to:
Central Maine Medical Center
Attn: Alison Dehetre, Nurse Manager, M4
300 Main Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
Bridgton Hospital
Attn: Paula Cox
10 High Street
Bridgton, ME 04009
Rumford Hospital
Attn: Jennifer Holmes
420 Franklin Street
Rumford, ME 04276
SUNSHINE Award
We know it’s not just nurses who make a difference in patient care, and that’s why we also honor team members with the SUNSHINE Award. Given biannually to a team member at each facility, the award recognizes support staff like CNAs, techs and medical assistants for their hard work, dedication and compassionate caregiving.
Each winner of the SUNSHINE Award is celebrated at a public ceremony and receives a certificate and glass statue.
How to Nominate an Extraordinary Caregiver
If you’ve had help from or worked with a deserving member of our support staff, you can nominate that person by filling out this online form. You can also pick up a SUNSHINE Award form at the hospital and drop it off in the specially marked boxes at the facility.
