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Shining a Light on Excellence: DAISY Awards Spotlight

🌼 Shining a Light on Excellence: DAISY Awards Spotlight 🌼

We’re thrilled to share that Sally Finnegan, RN, was honored with the DAISY Award at MDI Hospital for 2025!

Barbara Jean Bragdon, RN, shared, “Sally Finnegan has done an outstanding job caring for one of our custodial patients. Sally consistently went above and beyond her usual responsibilities over the three months this patient was with us. She took it upon herself to ensure that the patient felt at home during a challenging time. She provided a handmade blanket crafted by our staff adding comfort to the patient’s environment and fostering a sense of belonging and warmth.

In addition to this thoughtful gesture she actively engaged with the patient daily offering encouragement and support that extended beyond the standard activities coordinated by our team. Her genuine compassion and commitment to the patient’s well-being were evident in every interaction as the continually motivated her to participate in daily activities and provide the emotional support that was so crucial during this tie.

Sally’s unwavering dedication to our patient’s care exemplifies the core values of our institution and her efforts have significantly contributed to a positive and nurturing environment for someone in need. Her mission to ensure that the patient receives the highest level of care until their final discharge plans in implemented truly sets her apart. I believe Sally Finnegan’s exceptional contributions deserve recognition.”

The DAISY Award is a special recognition program that celebrates the extraordinary care and compassion of nurses, based on nominations from patients, families, and co-workers. MDI Hospital is proud to partner with the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses like Sally, who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of their patients and colleagues.

The DAISY Foundation was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away in 1999 from an autoimmune disease. His family was inspired to recognize the exceptional care he received from nurses, and today, the DAISY Awards continue to thank nurses around the world for their incredible impact.

Want to nominate an outstanding nurse? Visit our website at https://www.mdihospital.org/daisy-awards/ or look for paper nomination forms at the hospital and health centers.

Thank you, Sally, and all of our nurses, for the compassion and excellence you bring to MDI Hospital every day!

“It’s such a beautiful race,” she said. “The scenery is breathtaking, and the crowd energy is amazing. My mom has come up both years to cheer me on, which also makes it really special.” Whether she’s racing along the island’s winding roads or venturing into Acadia’s trails, Caitlin has found that being outdoors recharges her and deepens her appreciation for the intersection between health, resilience, and nature, a passion that has inspired her next step.

After residency completion this year, Caitlin is pursuing a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine, a field that perfectly blends her love for the outdoors with her dedication to emergency care. “Working at MDI Hospital has been an example of the merger between helping people in challenging environments and working closely in nature that I hope to experience during fellowship,” she said.

Reflecting on her time at MDI Hospital, Caitlin expressed deep gratitude for the people and experiences that have shaped her journey. “I plan to use the skills I have learned across my rotations at MDI Hospital going forward into my medical career so that I can provide great patient-centered care,” she said. “I will also remember the wonderful people I have met and cared for here who have helped shape my medical training to date.”

Whether running along the rugged coastline or responding to patients in the ED, Caitlin has found that MDI offers the perfect mix of challenge, inspiration, and community. It’s no surprise that for her, coming back to Mount Desert Island felt less like returning to a rotation, and more like coming home.

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MDI Hospital

MDI Hospital
10 Wayman Lane
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207.288.5081

At Mount Desert Island Hospital, we provide comprehensive care for you and your family through our hospital in Bar Harbor and a network of health centers across Mount Desert Island.