Guthrie County Hospital held their annual DAISY and Sunshine Awards Ceremony Thursday.

For 2025-26, the Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem, or DAISY Award, the recipient was Matt Sandel, and for the Sunshine Award, for the third year in a row, LaRoyce Kress was the recipient. When asked what it meant to receive the DAISY Award, Sandel says this to Raccoon Valley Radio.

“It’s really not just about me. There’s so many other people that contribute to the care that we give here at Guthrie County Hospital. I might be singled out in this specific award, but it really goes to all of us.”

Kress shares her feelings about once again being the recipient of the Sunshine Award.

“That I know that patients like my care and they come back and since it’s a small community, I mean, you know everybody and you know what to talk about with the patients and their cares.”

The DAISY Award recognizes nurses internationally that go above and beyond with compassion and care for their patients. The Sunshine Award recognizes those that are part of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) team at the hospital. GCH also did something new this year, and had a Nurses Week Planning Committee that put together some garden inspired awards for their theme, Bloom Boldly. A list of all the awards and their recipients can be found below.

 

DAISY Award: Matt Sandel

 

Sunshine Award: LaRoyce Kress

 

Tender Care Blossom Award: Laurisa Stringer

 

Golden Bloom Award: Stephaney Brondum

Pollinator Award: Nicole Esslinger

Evergreen Award: Carrie Stein

 

Poised Poppy Award: Molly Hays

 

Community Garden Award

Department: Environmental Services Department

Individual: Caitlin Gardiner