Thao Carey, a Lompoc Valley Medical Center registered nurse, has been recognized with the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The international honor is part of The DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by family members, honors nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. Carey, who works in LVMC’s Critical Care Unit, received a certificate that reads:

“In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.”

Barnes died in 1999 at the age of 33 from complications caused by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The foundation was inspired by the care Barnes and his family received from nurses during his illness.

Nurses are nominated for Daisy awards by patients, families and colleagues. Carey was chosen as the recipient of the inaugural LVMC DAISY Award by a wide-ranging committee of LVMC, Comprehensive Care Center, and Lompoc Health clinical and non-clinical staff after an evaluation of all submissions. She received numerous nominations.

One nomination pointed out Carey’s care of a hospice patient, and her interaction with the family. The family sent Carey a thank-you note, saying they were “so grateful for the kindness and compassion you showed my husband while he was under your care. Your dedication to your work and your patients is truly remarkable, and something our family will always remember …

“Thank you for treating someone we all love with dignity, and respect at the end of his life.”

Another grateful nomination noted Carey’s care of a COVID-19 patient, who was ultimately transferred to another hospital. Her care of the patient and communication with the family “helped decrease anxiety and we will be forever grateful for her for helping us during her busy shift during a time of crisis (COVID).

“(Carey) is a nurse that cares deeply and makes a difference in the life of those she touches. Anyone receiving care from Thao is very lucky to have such a special and dedicated nurse.”

Carey also received a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

“Thao is an amazing nurse,” said Karen Kelly, LVMC senior nursing director. “She not only provides excellent care for her patients and their families, she also cares for her fellow nurses by always being there when they need a helping hand. She is the ultimate team player.

“Thao has been extremely helpful during this pandemic. She has worked more shifts than any nurse I know. She knew the need was great, and she stepped up to fill the need. She is very deserving of this prestigious nursing award.”

Bonnie Barnes, CEO and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation, said, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. The kind of work the nurses at Lompoc Valley Medical Center are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

Lompoc Valley Medical Center Board of Directors chairwoman Leslie Kelly, who is a former longtime Critical Care Unit nurse, acknowledged Carey’s work, telling her:

“We do a lot of work in here (the CCU), so a lot of our work, people don’t know about,” Kelly said. “When I read all the fabulous things about you, first of all I wanted to come work with you. I thought you must really be someone spectacular … The fact that you can impact so many people outside really says a tremendous amount for you.”

Kelly said she is grateful LVMC employees do so much more than their job descriptions.

“We don’t say to our nurses, ‘You have to be compassionate, you have to be caring, you have to go the extra mile,’” Kelly said to Carey. “But obviously you do, and obviously it makes a tremendous difference to the people that work with you and to the people you care for.”

Carey earned a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry from San Francisco State University, and previously was an analytical chemist and research assistant. After moving to Lompoc in 2007, she pursued a nursing career and attended the Certified Nurse Assistant program at Allan Hancock College. She became a CNA at the Comprehensive Care Center.

In 2017, Carey earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from California State University at Channel Islands.

Two other LVMC nurses received certificates for outstanding nominations. Longtime emergency department registered nurse Bill Kelly was honored by a coworker for his efforts to calm a distressed and intubated patient who became combative during a fluoroscopy exam.

Marie Densmore, a labor and delivery registered nurse, was honored by a patient who was struggling with addiction and appreciated Densmore’s care.

For more about the award, visit daisyfoundation.org.