North Country Leader

Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, New York, has announced the recipients of its DAISY and BEE Awards for December 2024. These awards recognize outstanding contributions by nursing staff and other hospital employees.

Taylor Kucharski, a Registered Nurse at Samaritan Medical Center’s 4 Pavilion unit, received the DAISY Award. This international award acknowledges extraordinary nurses. Kucharski was nominated by the family of a patient who praised her respectful, kind, and compassionate care. She received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a sculpture titled “A Healer’s Touch,” crafted by artists from Zimbabwe's Shona Tribe. A larger version of this sculpture is displayed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan Medical Center to honor all future award winners.

Karen Netto, a unit clerk in the Intensive Care Unit, was honored with the BEE Award. Her nomination came from Rodney Dobson, another unit clerk at Samaritan’s Progressive Care Unit. Dobson stated: “Her knowledge, helpful nature, and collaborative spirit are invaluable assets to our team, and she truly deserves to be celebrated for her outstanding contributions.” Netto received a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and additional tokens of appreciation.

These awards will continue throughout the year with nominations open to patients, families, or colleagues. More information about these awards can be found on Samaritan Health's website.

Samaritan Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center providing various healthcare services to both civilian and military communities in Watertown.

The DAISY Foundation is an organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who passed away due to Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The foundation honors nurses worldwide through various recognition programs across more than 3,900 healthcare facilities.