Bronson Celebrates DAISY Award Winners in Calhoun & Kalamazoo Counties
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is an international recognition program that celebrates nurses for their exceptional clinical skills, compassion and dedication to patients and their families. Nominations come from those who experience their care firsthand — patients, families and colleagues.
At Bronson, we recognize DAISY Award winners throughout the year. Read the stories below to learn about our most recent winners and join us in celebrating their exceptional work. This group of honorees were selected from nominations received during the third quarter (July-September) 2025.
Bronson's DAISY Award winners, photographed left to right: Caitlin Short, Pat Olin, Natalie Baker, Desiree Goff and Nan Wang
Natalie Baker, BSN, RN, C-EFM: Bronson Methodist Hospital, Labor & Delivery Unit
Natalie was nominated for the DAISY Award by a former patient and fellow nurse who experienced a difficult labor and delivery. “My husband and I were terrified, scared and so upset that our beautiful vision of what our birth was supposed to look like was crumbling and our sweet baby was in distress…. Natalie held our family together like the glue we didn’t know we needed. She answered all of my husband’s questions, stood up for him when he voiced his needs and took photos of our family. She rubbed my arms when the pain was too much to handle. When my husband needed to leave the OR to focus on our baby, she did not leave my side. My husband only felt comfortable leaving me to focus on our new son because he knew Natalie was there.” Read Natalie’s full nomination.
Desiree Goff, RN: Bronson Methodist Hospital, Pre-Op/Surgical Services
Desiree received five nominations for the DAISY Award from former patients and family members! In each, she is described as a kind and caring nurse who exudes calmness. One nomination shared a story leading up to an open-heart surgery and how “Desiree explained things thoroughly. She calmed my sister down and made sure her kids were okay. She constantly came and checked on our status as if it were her family.” Read more excerpts from Desiree’s nominations.
Pat Olin, BSN, RN: Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, Labor & Delivery Unit
Pat was nominated for the DAISY Award by a former patient who described her as a nurse who not only provided exceptional clinical care, but offered a sense of warmth, compassion and calmness. “She cared for me as a person, a brand-new mother trying to find her footing in the whirlwind of postpartum recovery…I am now two months postpartum and I’m still choking up thinking about how exceptional she was.” Read Pat’s full nomination.
Caitlin Short, BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC: Bronson Methodist Hospital, Medical Intensive Care Unit
Caitlin was nominated for this award by a former patient who describes her as “exactly what a nurse should be.” She shared that while Caitlin was her nurse, she was also training a newer nurse. “The way that she explained and educated that nurse even helped me understand what was happening which made me less scared. It also made me feel comfortable enough to ask my own questions. She sat with me and made sure all my questions were answered, and I wasn’t confused.” Read Caitlin’s full nomination.
Nan Wang, RN: Bronson Methodist Hospital, Neurovascular Unit
Nan received two nominations for the DAISY Award, both describing her high level of kindness and compassion. “Nan’s authentic gentleness and genuine care were some of the very best parts of this generally difficult situation. She’s an invaluable asset to Bronson and a priceless gift to her patients.” Read Nan’s award-winning nomination.
Honor a Bronson Nurse
To nominate a Bronson nurse for the DAISY Award, visit bronsonthankanurse.com. If you have experienced Bronson Positivity, share your story at bronsonpositivity.com. Your story can help bring Positivity and inspiration to others.
About the DAISY Award
The DAISY Award is supported by the not-for-profit DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation. Bonnie and J. Mark Barnes created this foundation and award as a way to remember their son, J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick had a disease that attacked his body and was in the hospital for a long time. His nurses did such a great job with him that the Barnes family created an award that continues to recognize the excellent work nurses do every day.
