Pam Baker, vice president of nursing informatics, was recently named the inaugural recipient of the hospital’s DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.
On Feb. 7, Pam Baker, vice president of nursing informatics, was named the inaugural recipient of the hospital’s DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious honor recognizes nurses who have dedicated their lives to compassionate care, mentorship and advancing the nursing profession.
Recipients of this award are nominated for their dedication to nursing through active mentoring, role modeling, advocating for their patients and promoting the positive image of nursing. They serve as a beacon of inspiration to those at all stages of their career and in the various and important roles of nursing. Nominations, which are blinded after being submitted, are reviewed by the Professional Development Council, who selects the winner.
From the very beginning, Pam has been a pioneer in nursing at Akron Children’s. Throughout her career, she has carved out new paths, becoming the first case manager, nursing performance improvement coordinator, associate chief nursing officer, and finally, the chief nursing information officer – a new role in the organization.
Chief Nursing Officer Chris Young (pictured left) presented Pam with the award. Pam was recognized for her dedication to nursing through active mentoring, role modeling, advocating for patients and promoting a positive image of nursing. She has worked for Akron Children’s for 41 years.
This spirit of innovation is evident in her accomplishments, like creating dashboards for Nurse Sensitive Indicators, leading nursing through the implementation of a new electronic medical record system and bringing the voice of nursing to the forefront of technology discussions.
But Pam’s impact goes far beyond “firsts.” She has tirelessly championed the well-being of children and the advancement of the nursing profession. Her dedication is reflected in her two master’s degrees, specialty certifications, and extensive work as a nurse researcher and educator at the local and state levels.
“Pam embodies the core values of the DAISY Award – compassion, mentorship and advocacy,” said Chief Nursing Officer Chris Young. “Christin Eland, the very first nurse to receive a DAISY Award at Akron Children’s, was present at the ceremony honoring Pam, a testament to the lasting impact Pam has had on her colleagues.”
Despite her impressive achievements, Pam remains a humble leader, shying away from personal accolades.
“Her quiet dedication has left an indelible mark on Akron Children’s, the broader community, and the nursing profession as a whole,” said Chris, citing Pam’s nomination form. “Pam, who has been with Akron Children’s for 41 years, embodies everything this award stands for.”
For more information on this award and eligibility criteria, visit https://www.daisyfoundation.org/daisy-award/daisy-lifetime-achievement-award
