Marie Nordahl Sam
Marie Nordahl, RN, has been recognized by The Daisy Foundation for her work as a nurse in neurology at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota. Nordahl was named an October 2015 recipient of The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
The Daisy Award was created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died in November 1999 at age 33 of complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The nursing care Patrick received when hospitalized profoundly touched his family. On The Daisy Foundation website (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System), the family explained, “We vividly recalled the skillful and compassionate care Patrick received from his nurses during his eight-week hospitalization. We wanted to say ‘thank you’ to nurses everywhere by establishing The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses to honor the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day.”
Nordahl was nominated for the national honor by a patient’s family member, who wrote, “As a former ICU nurse and a Sanford employee, I paid close attention to the care that my father was receiving when he was hospitalized for four nights for a craniotomy/aneurysm clipping. It brought me great joy to see the hard work and action that was being done, particularly by one of my father’s nurses, Marie Nordahl.
“One could tell just by watching her that she was courageous and passionate about the health and healing of my father. One other element that really took me for a surprise and by no means was expected was the care and attention that she showed my family and me. Marie was able to care for our entire family during my dad’s stay on the ICU.”
Nordahl joins the elite membership of Daisy Award recipients in 2,000 healthcare facilities across the United States and in 15 countries. She receives a beautiful Healing Touch statuette; a cheerful Daisy Award pin; recognition in Scrubs magazine and on The Daisy Foundation website and Facebook page; reduced price for American Nurses Credentialing applications or renewals; and a celebration with co-workers.
The Daisy Award certificate states that the award is presented “in deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.”
Marie is the daughter of Patty and Doug Nordahl of Lutsen. She graduated from St. Catherine University on December 19, 2014 with a double major in public health and a bachelor’s in nursing. Marie is a 2009 graduate of Cook County High School.
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