Chris Cates Recognized with Hot Springs DAISY Award

Chris Cates, RN, a patient care coordinator on 2West in Hot Springs, was recognized with a DAISY Award for the exceptional compassion he showed to a recent patient who was admitted with severe diabetic ketoacidosis.

“By the time I made it to the floor, it was really late. I was confused, agitated, and frankly, a little scared. Chris was my guardian angel that night.”

The patient described how Chris helped him through a procedure, assisted him in taking a shower, talked him through a hallucination and held him when he broke down. He even made sure his wife got something to eat, despite the late hour.

“He knows the value of the little things; his touch was gentle, soft, caring, but firm and reassuring. His smile puts you at ease and makes you feel safe. I knew nothing would hurt me, he had me. He is a gentle giant whose large form is still too small to contain his heart!”

The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at 33 of ITP, an auto-immune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, so they created the national award to thank nurses everywhere.