The Great River Health system recently presented its latest DAISY Foundation Awards for Extraordinary Nurses of 2026. The national award honors nurses who demonstrate outstanding compassion and dedication to patients and families.
Among the recipients is Adrene Garcia, a registered nurse on the Medical-Surgical Unit at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. She was nominated by the girlfriend of a patient recovering from hip replacement surgery. In the nomination, Garcia was praised for her warmth, empathy, attentiveness, and professionalism, as well as her encouragement during therapy and detailed communication during doctor visits.
Also honored was Amber Larkin, a registered nurse in the Women and Family Center at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. She was nominated by a patient for her compassionate care during labor and delivery. The patient highlighted Larkin’s attentiveness, supportive bedside manner, and thoughtful gesture of writing “Have a Birthday Party” on the room’s whiteboard under the day’s care plan. The mother described the experience as the best of her childbirths and credited Larkin’s care as a major reason why.
Both nurses were recognized during special ceremonies attended by colleagues, family members, and patients. Each received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved sculpture titled “A Healer’s Touch.”
Great River Health employs more than 800 nurses across its campuses in West Burlington, Fort Madison, and at Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant. Nurses can be nominated for the DAISY Award on an ongoing basis by patients, families, and coworkers.