Outstanding members of the Ohio’s Hospice staff are recognized each quarter with Bouquet of Recognition Awards for Excellence. Honorees personify the qualities found in the mission and values of Ohio’s Hospice and are the foundation upon which a remarkable patient experience is built. These staff members consistently demonstrate excellence through their expertise and extraordinary compassionate support for patients and families. They are recognized as outstanding role models in the Ohio’s Hospice community. These are the recipients for the second quarter of 2022.   

Carnation Award 

Mark McNeal, facilities lead at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, was awarded the Carnation Award for his constant willingness to help patients and staff.  

When a patient who loved snow wanted to see snow one more time, Mark, undaunted by the challenge, learned how to operate the snow machine. By the following day, he was ready to make it snow. He set up the machine outside her window and made it snow for more than 30 minutes, creating a winter wonderland on a warm, sunny day.   

He was committed to making sure she could see the snow and had the staff move her bed to the best position so she could look out the window. Mark even called later that day to make sure they could access movies on the TV for a ‘slumber party’ the patient had in her room with her sisters. The family appreciated his efforts. 

Congratulations to Mark on being recognized with the Carnation Award and thanks to him for his support of the Ohio’s Hospice mission. 

DAISY Award® 

Melissa Benline, RN care manager at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, was awarded the DAISY Award® for her drive and compassion for the patients she cares for.

A patient’s daughter shared a story of Melissa’s care going the extra mile for her mother improving quality of life and making her mother’s last months and days peaceful memories. Melissa treats every patient and family with respect and care. She refers to her patients as elders, and she’s dedicated her nursing career to the compassionate care and dignity that our elders deserve. 

Ohio’s Hospice is proud to be a DAISY Award partner, recognizing its nurses with this special honor quarterly. At Ohio’s Hospice, DAISY Award honorees are nurses who consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care.  

Congratulations to Melissa on being recognized with the DAISY Award and thanks to her for her support of the Ohio’s Hospice mission.  

Sunflower Award 

LaQuita Simon, personal care specialist at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, was nominated for the Sunflower Award by a teammate for the personal touch she adds to the care of each patient she cares for.  

The Sunflower Award honors personal care specialists who take care of a patient’s personal needs with dignity, compassion and empathy. They provide quality nursing assistance to patients, assist patients’ families with care, and work with the interdisciplinary care team.  

LaQuita advocates for her patients, helping them improve their quality of life.  

Congratulations to LaQuita on being recognized with the Sunflower Award and thanks to her for her support of the Ohio’s Hospice mission.  

Tulip Award 

Michael Kammer, bereavement counseling professional at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, was nominated for the Tulip Award by a teammate for the compassionate and skilled care he offers to patients and their families. 

The Tulip Award honors chaplains, social workers, therapists, counselors, physicians, pharmacists, and other patient care professionals at Ohio’s Hospice.   

A patient’s family member wrote in a letter to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton that Michael’s mindfulness of their belief systems and his ability to connect and validate their emotions even through a virtual Zoom session was the perfect fit for what they needed. Michael encouraged them through healing and helped to build new coping mechanisms to deal with their feelings.  

Congratulations to Michael on being honored with the Tulip Award and thanks to him for his support of the Ohio’s Hospice mission. 

To nominate a staff member, click here.  

To learn more about careers at Ohio’s Hospice, click here.