Nurse tries to pass on his blessings

Being one of 18 people nominated for the DAISY Award in nursing was an honor, said Omahan Dean Degner.

Winning was very much a surprise.

“I didn't think I had a chance,” he said.

The DAISY Award is presented to nurses who have shown superior effort in caring for patients. It was established by the Barnes family of Glen Ellen, Calif., in memory of a family member who received excellent care while he was hospitalized until he died in 1999. DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.

The award includes a certificate and the “Healer's Touch” sculpture, hand-carved by artists in Africa.

Degner is the first Veterans Administration nurse to win the award. He works in the intensive care unit at the Omaha VA Medical Center, and it's the kind of work he really enjoys.

“Critical care is one-on-one care. You get to know your patient a whole lot better,” said Degner, who usually works with only one or two patients at a time.

Degner grew up in Salem, S.D. He enlisted in the Air Force to try to get nurse's training. The program was full, so he became a radio communications analyst in the intelligence wing. After two years, he was eligible for cross training and became a medical technician. Upon discharge, he used the GI Bill to go back to school.

After graduation from South Dakota State University, he worked for five years as a civilian nurse.

Then he signed on for another tour in the Air Force. During that time, he ended up in Omaha to work on his master's degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

He retired as a major in 1999 when he was stationed in Illinois and decided to return to Omaha. He had family in Omaha and Lincoln, and it wasn't far to South Dakota.

When he's not at work, Degner spends a lot of time at the Omaha Bible Church.

He also likes to do things outdoors such as gardening, and he regrets that he doesn't get to camp and fish as much as he used to. He also enjoys photography.

“I'm not very good, but I try to improve,” he said.

Degner is somewhat uneasy with the praise he has received from the award. He calls himself a “common, ordinary guy trying to make a difference in other people's lives.”

He said he has experienced suffering — he lost his first wife to cancer and has battled cancer himself four times. And he has known joy and forgiveness in his life.

His strong Christian faith “impacts who I am,” he said, and he credits that faith for seeing him through good times and bad.

“I've been blessed,” Degner said. “I try to pass it on.”

Contact the writer:

444-1067, carol.bicak@owh.com