Lynch, of Shelbyville, was nominated by a patient to receive a DAISY Award, hospital officials said.

In the nomination form, the patient wrote, “We were blessed to have Kari as our nurse. She expressed concerns about our son’s breathing … and was adamant we have tests run. We found out our little boy had a rare congenital heart defect. Kari was with us all day until our transfer to a children’s hospital. She was unbelievably kind and warm to us on one of the scariest days of our lives.”

Lynch has worked at Decatur Memorial Hospital since 2004.

The nonprofit DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of an autoimmune disease. They were inspired to create the DAISY Award because of the care nurses provided to Barnes and his family during his illness.