Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD), a member of Dartmouth Health, has honored Tara Apigian, ADN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®, recognizing her exceptional service on the Medical Surgical unit.
Presented quarterly, the DAISY Award celebrates nurses whose clinical expertise and compassion make a meaningful difference. Tara’s patients praised her for the care, comfort, and clear communication she provides each day.
Her nomination described the many ways she helped patients and their loved ones navigate through difficult times. Tara was recognized for her kindness, her patience, and her strong commitment to excellent care.
One family shared their story: “I would like to nominate an extraordinary nurse who went far above and beyond for a dying patient and his family during one of the most emotionally challenging times of their lives. She helped care for a terminally ill patient whose greatest wish was to see his son graduate from high school. Understanding how important this milestone was for both the patient and his family, she took the initiative to help plan a special graduation ceremony at the hospital in case the patient was too ill to attend the real one. She collaborated with the family and the care team to create a dignified and meaningful alternative, ensuring the patient wouldn't miss this precious moment. But she didn't stop there. On her own personal time, this nurse offered to accompany the patient to his son's official high school graduation if he was able to attend. Her compassion and willingness to go above and beyond were a true reflection of what nursing is all about. Sadly, the patient passed away on the morning of the graduation. Despite this heartbreaking outcome, the nurse still checked on the patient's wife that day, offering her presence, support, and empathy. She also organized a unit-wide sympathy card, ensuring that the family felt the love and support of the entire care team. This nurse exemplifies the very spirit of the DAISY award-clinical excellence wrapped in deep compassion. Her actions left a lasting impression on everyone involved, and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition.”
Another family also nominated Tara and shared, “I am nominating Tara because she not only cared for my father during a very critical time, but she also cared for our entire family. During my father's weeklong stay int he hospital, she showed an incredible amount of compassion, patience, and skill. She took the time to explain every procedure in terms we could understand and made sure we never felt alone or ignored. One night, when my father was particularly anxious and unable to sleep, she stayed by his bedside and comforted him with kind words and gentle reassurances. Her ability to balance clinical excellence with heartfelt care truly made a difference. We will never forget how she made one of the most difficult times in our lives a little more bearable. She exemplifies what nursing is all about and is so deserving of this recognition.”
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
About Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD)
Known for highly personalized and high-quality care, APD is the community hospital of the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. Founded in 1932 and a member of Dartmouth Health since 2016, APD’s areas of clinical excellence include surgical services, primary care, geriatric care, orthopaedics, and emergency services. The APD campus is also home to a senior living community with assisted and independent living facilities. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.