The Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation (DSU HF) is proud to shine a spotlight on DSU alumna Kayla (Bohn) Dobitz, whose dedication and compassion have recently earned her the prestigious DAISY Award for Nursing.
Kayla, who works in the Obstetrics Department at CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson, was nominated for the award by a patient who had given birth to a baby girl. The DAISY Award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to “recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.” Established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away in 1999 from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), the DAISY Foundation honors nurses who make profound differences in their patients' lives.
Kayla’s award was determined by a local committee that carefully reviewed patient nominations.
As part of the honor, DAISY Award recipients receive a unique statue hand-carved in Zimbabwe. Each statue is signed by the artist, symbolizing the dedication and artistry of nurses worldwide.
Reflecting on the honor, Kayla shared that the patient who nominated her was lovely and easy to care for. She believes that her strong work ethic and passion for nursing contributed to her receiving the award. “Coming out of the COVID pandemic, many nurses are burnt out and tired,” Kayla said. “In health care, we need to keep patients educated and informed, and CHI provides the time and support to do that.”
Kayla’s career in nursing began in Glendive, Montana immediately after her graduation as a registered nurse. Her time in Glendive was followed by a stint in the emergency room at Sanford Health in Bismarck. Entering the profession during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced enormous challenges early on. While working in the small hospital in Glendive, she witnessed the deaths of three patients in a matter of a few days, including a child under one year old. At the same time, she was preparing for her wedding to Lewis Dobitz, a 2020 DSU graduate.
“Nursing is a heart profession,” Kayla reflected. After discussing the emotional toll of ER work with a friend who was a nurse at CHI, she was encouraged to consider obstetrics at CHI. “That decision was life-changing,” she said.
Kayla was a Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Scholar and was elected Homecoming Queen while attending DSU. She credits DSU for preparing her for the demands of her career. “From my first day at DSU, I was held to a high standard. Getting my homework done was imperative. I was given early experience with bedside care and learned all aspects of direct patient care,” she recalled. “We were required to have clean and pressed scrubs, clean shoes, and our hair pulled back. These were standards I loved being held to.”
Kayla and Lewis now have two children, Colson (4) and Kendall (2). As she continues her career in obstetrics, she hopes aspiring nurses will consider DSU for their training.
The DSU Heritage Foundation applauds Kayla for her outstanding accomplishments and the positive impact she makes in health care. Congratulations on your well-deserved honor!
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By Debora Dragseth, Baker Boy Professor of Leadership
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