Ally Amberg enjoys being a nurse and helping others. Her love for her profession was recognized when the Tomah Health Acute Care Registered Nurse was named the hospital’s 2026 recipient of the internationally recognized Daisy Award during a program as part of National Hospital Week, May 12.
“I was honestly over the moon.” Amberg said of the award. “I honestly couldn’t believe it. I think it’s what every nurse strives for and to be even in the mix is just a crazy feeling.”
Amberg was one of 53 nurses at Tomah Health nominated for the award which was established by the not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California, by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disease. Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, president and cofounder of The DAISY Foundation said the care Patrick and his family received from nurses inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
Ally was nominated for the award by two hospital patients who said Amberg should be recognized for her exemplary care. “When Ally came on shift to my room she saw I was stressed and she took the time to reassure me that I was in excellent care,” wrote one patient in a Daisy Award nomination form. “She was a delight to have as my care nurse. Ally just brightens the room when she enters with her sweet personality. You have many, many good nurses at Tomah Health, but I just felt that Ally is of the great ones,” the patient wrote. “I remember both of these patients; we had very close and in-depth conversations and it was just amazingly kind for them to take the time out of their day to write such nice things about me,” Amberg said about the comments from the patients.
Ally credits her mother for becoming a registered nurse. “My mom’s a nurse and she truly embodies what I strive to be. I think it’s different when your mom is a nurse and she knows what that award means to everyone. It’s what we strive for in our career and I think she was proud and overwhelmed.”
Amberg has worked at Tomah Health for six years and has been a registered nurse four years. She said getting to know patients on a one-on-one basis is her biggest reward. “When you hear the stories of their childhood, of their children, how they met their spouse, or even like where they grew up, it really builds that connection and takes the word patient out of the equation and really makes a personal connection. I don’t think people realize how much of an impact they have on our lives. So it’s really just an honor.”
Tomah Health Associate Chief Nursing Officer Carrie Lord said Amberg reflects the type of care nurses provide to patients. “I think it’s a reflection of our hospital and how it gives a voice to the patient,” added Lord. “It’s awesome to see Ally grow from a certified nursing assistant into the well-rounded nurse that she is today.”
Lord said the hospital takes part in the DAISY Award because it validates the type of nursing care provided at Tomah Health. “Our nurses are here every step of the way with the patient. They are there to provide education, be the eyes and ears for our providers. It’s an excellent opportunity to be able to show the work that we do here and that our nurses are amazing.”
Patients, families and colleagues can nominate nurses for the recognition using a DAISY Award nomination. CLICK HERE