Coös County, NH – April 17, 2026 – North Country Healthcare (NCH) celebrated the latest DAISY and BEE Award winners from NCH’s staff on April 14 and 15, 2026. The DAISY Foundation is a nationwide nonprofit established in honor of Patrick J. Barnes, who died in 1999 at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disease; DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses was founded to recognize and celebrate exceptional nurses through nominations by patients, friends, and coworkers.
At NCH, the latest DAISY Awards honored Karen Gagnon, RN, NCH’s Director of Case Management, and Aaron Stephenson, RN, Emergency Department staff nurse at Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH) in Berlin, NH.
Karen Gagnon, RN, was nominated for the DAISY Award by her colleagues at Weeks Medical Center’s (WMC) Medical-Surgical Unit, who noted “Karen is the very definition of what the DAISY Award represents. She does not simply meet the standard of compassionate nursing – she redefines it every single day through her presence, her dedication, and the quiet, powerful way she shows up for patients during their most vulnerable moments.”
Karen’s colleagues said that while she goes above and beyond every day, they were moved to nominate her for the DAISY Award after “a day that allowed all of us to witness the depth of her compassion,” That day, Karen comforted a patient who had decided to transition to comfort care, staying long after her scheduled hours ended to remain with the patient until their family could arrive. “Karen stayed through the hardest moments of all,” wrote her colleagues. “She held [the patient’s] hand through tears, panic, and fear. She offered calm when the room felt heavy. She offered reassurance when the world felt like it was slipping away. Most importantly, she offered presence – the kind that cannot be taught, only lived.”
A patient at AVH’s Emergency Department was compelled to nominate Aaron Stephenson, RN, after arriving at AVH with appendicitis. While in the emergency room, the patient was relieved to see Aaron. “I knew I was in good hands. Aaron is a hero to my family,” explaining that five years ago, Aaron revived a family member that collapsed in the hallway at AVH. “Aaron kept checking in and thankfully cracking jokes to lighten my mood,” wrote the nominator. “He knew everything that I needed before I needed it. When I went in for my CT scan, it was nearing the end of Aaron’s shift. He stayed and waited for me to return and for the doctor to look at the findings before he left for the night. He made sure to bid us farewell before leaving, checking one last time if there was anything I needed, and obviously cracking one last joke. Aaron’s hospitality and bedside manner made my ER stay much more enjoyable, going above and beyond in my time of need. I hear others’ stories about Aaron, and he always goes above and beyond for his patients. If anyone deserves an award like this, it’s Aaron.”
While the DAISY Awards are reserved for nurses, the BEE Awards, short for Being Extraordinary Every Day, are given to other exceptional members of care teams. The latest NCH staff members to receive the BEE Award are Karen Supry, Licensed Nursing Assistant in AVH’s Medical-Surgical Unit, and Adam Cloutier, a Paramedic in the WMC Emergency Department.
Karen Supry was nominated by a patient of AVH. “Every time I’ve been to AVH, Karen doesn’t change in her patient care,” the patient wrote in their nomination. “Karen takes the time to talk with me and ask how my day is going. She shows genuine concern and is very respectful.” The nominator noted that although the medical field can be fast-paced, Karen never made them feel rushed. “If Karen ever has a bad day, you’d never know it by her attitude. She is always bright, cheerful, and has a smile on her face. She’s the constant professional, as well as being a “warm-and-fuzzy” person. I’m thankful for [the BEE Award] so I can let you know much I appreciate Karen and all the staff at AVH.”
Adam Cloutier was nominated for the BEE Award by the parent of a patient: “I observed as Adam interacted with [my child] in a very supportive, upbeat manner. He acted as though nothing could shock or even surprise him. He was firm and competent, positive and understanding. I thought at the time how wonderful it would be if all medical personnel treated people coping with mental health issues that well. It was refreshing to observe him and how well he handled the situation. Bravo to Adam!”
Please join NCH in congratulating the award winners and in recognizing their commitment to delivering exceptional care to the people of the North Country. To learn more about NCH’s DAISY and BEE awards, or to nominate a member of NCH’s extraordinary care teams at Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, or Weeks Medical Center, visit northcountryhealth.org/awards/.