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Center Avenue Nurse Heather Brown Receives DAISY® Award


Group Photo: Front Row Administrator of Centre Avenue Clint Dale, CHS Director of Clinical Services Cathy Franecki, Beverly’s daughter Ann Hamilton, Center Avenue Nurse Heather Brown, Beverly’s son Mike Haley, Beverly’s granddaughter Laura Holstrom,  and Director of Nursing at Centre Avenue Jordyn Pim.  Back Row, Joel Bitler CHS COO, Paul Benigni CHS CEO, Beverly’s son-in-law Ben Hamilton.
Group Photo: Front Row Administrator of Centre Avenue Clint Dale, CHS Director of Clinical Services Cathy Franecki, Beverly’s daughter Ann Hamilton, Center Avenue Nurse Heather Brown, Beverly’s son Mike Haley, Beverly’s granddaughter Laura Holstrom,  and Director of Nursing at Centre Avenue Jordyn Pim. Back Row, Joel Bitler CHS COO, Paul Benigni CHS CEO, Beverly’s son-in-law Ben Hamilton.

Heather was “just doing her job.” 


Earlier this month, Heather Brown was selected to receive the DAISY Award®, an international award created by the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation to express gratitude to nurses and recognize them for the extraordinary, compassionate, skillful care they provide patients and families.


Brown, a nurse for 25 years, including 17 at Columbine Health Systems, currently at Center Avenue Health & Rehab, was nominated by several people, including Pat Haley. 

“Heather became a primary care provider for my mother, Beverly Hadden, in March 2024.  The incredible skill, compassion, and empathy Heather provided was evident from Day 1,” Pat shared.  She was committed to not only providing high-quality professional care but also to connecting with Mom on a personal level.  Heather was so very sincere and genuine with her investment of time and attention in Mom’s well-being, our family knew we had enlisted the end-of-life support for our mother that would make her final days as comfortable as possible.”


Heather explained that she became a nurse after starting as a CNA and activity assistant for about 10 years.   “I realized that nursing was what I wanted to do, particularly the senior population.  I think making even a small difference in healthcare is important, and I pride myself on being a patient advocate.  I have made meaningful connections from the support and kindness I received from both family and clients. THEY have made a difference in my life.”


Pat shared that his mother passed away at 5:10 p.m. on March 28, 2024.  “At 3:00 p.m., my brother and I were called away to complete a 30-minute chore at Mom’s home.  Heather assured us Mom would be carefully watched and cared for in our absence.  When we returned to Mom’s room, we witnessed an incredibly heartwarming example of human kindness! Heather was not standing by the bed but sitting in a chair beside Mom, holding her hand and gently rubbing her neck.  Heather’s soothing touch and quiet assurances to Mom overwhelmed both my brother and me.  She was ‘just doing her job’. Heather did everything she possibly could to make a dying patient’s last moments on the Earth as peaceful and comfortable as possible.  Our family – and our Mom – will be forever indebted to Heather Brown.”


Cathy Franecki, Director of Clinical Services, shared, “Over the past year since we launched our partnership with The Daisy Foundation, it’s been my privilege to read each of the 50 nominations for outstanding nurses here at Columbine. As the nominations clearly reveal, each nurse nominated does so much more than just  ‘doing their job.’” With her countless acts of compassion while maintaining the highest standard of professionalism, it’s easy to understand why Heather is the most nominated nurse to date.


“The DAISY Award (coming from patients and family members) to me, is the highest honor,” shared Heather. “It simply is why I do what I do as a nurse and as a human.”

At the DAISY Award ceremony, Franecki added “I want to give another special thank you to the family of Mrs. Beverly Hadden – Mike, Ann, Ben, Laura and Pat. This award does not happen unless people take the time to submit a nomination story and it means a great deal that you cared enough to do so. I offer a final thank you to all the nurses here today for not only choosing nursing as a career but also choosing to share your skills, care, abundance of compassion, and ‘do your jobs’ while giving so much more to the residents of Columbine every day. ” 


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