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Winner acknowledged for critical thinking by Heather Woolwine Public Relations It often takes time to adjust to a new job and its responsibilities, especially if you are a recent graduate in the nursing profession. But for July’s DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award winner, it seems that one year is plenty of time to become good enough in the profession to be compared with seasoned veterans of the field.   Registered nurse Pam Smith, nurse alliance chair, reads DAISY Award winner Alisa Mangano's (left) nomination form as representatives from the Mount Pleasant's Sandpiper Retirement Community look on. Alisa Mangano, R.N., July’s DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner, was described in her nomination as possessing maturity beyond her years and a well-established capacity for critical thinking. A registered nurse for a little more than a year, Mangano’s colleagues said her passionate care for her patients is evident, and she frequently goes above and beyond the call of duty on the 6 East Transplant/Nephrology unit.   Since her arrival on the unit, Mangano served on a committee that oversaw the implementation of the 6 East step-down unit, early discharge room, and treatment room, all for the benefit of transplant patients.   Her nomination said: “She is not afraid to think out of the box and looks for solutions to issues that will implement change long term, not just placing a band-aid over the problem. Alisa is consistently praised by her patients and families for her willingness to listen and to provide the best services possible. She does not leave her work undone and makes sure her co-workers have the tools to do their job. We are very proud that Alisa is a transplant/nephrology nurse.”   The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation was established by J. Mark Barnes and his family in memory of his son, Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.   Mangano received an African Shona Tribe sculpture entitled, “A Healer’s Touch,” a framed certificate, fresh daisies, and a DAISY Award pin. The DAISY Foundation also delivered cinnamon rolls to all the nurses in her unit. Cinnamon rolls were a favorite of Patrick’s, and he frequently asked his father to bring them to the nurses as his way of saying thanks.   The DAISY Award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day and is co-sponsored by Sandpiper Retirement Community.     Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.