Cox Branson presents DAISY, Sunshine awards

Cox Medical Center Branson recently presented employees with three DAISY Awards and three Sunshine Awards.

DAISY Awards

The international DAISY Award is presented to nurses who go above and beyond to provide patients and their families with not just excellent clinical care, but compassion as well.

Jacob Cheney, registered nurse, Intensive Care Unit

Helpful. Detailed. Caring. Prompt. That's how a patient describes their interaction with Jacob Cheney, a registered nurse in our ICU, and it's why we presented him with a DAISY Foundation Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

"My blood pressure was extremely low and he was so busy working to get my reading up — and finally did," the patient says. "He prayed with me and for me. He got me the necessary fluids and meds."

Jacob treated the patient with care, respect and a servant's heart.

"I really appreciate the way I was treated with care and respect. Finding nurses that love what they do is great," the patient continues. "It is not just a job to him and that says so much. A special thanks. I am so grateful to Jacob."

Ben Kiracofe, registered nurse, Step Down Unit

It was a late night for Ben Kiracofe, but one that illustrates the selfless care he provides for patients.

A visiting patient came to Cox Branson after having a stroke. After he was discharged, he experienced problems with his vision and ability to move about, making the 3-hour drive home a difficult (and unsafe) task for the patient and his son.

That's when Ben, an RN in our Step Down Unit, jumped in to help. When Ben found out about the situation, he called his own son, and together they safely got the family back to where they needed to go.

Ben didn't get back to his home until after midnight, but he got up the next day to do his teaching job at North Arkansas College.

For his efforts, we presented Ben with a DAISY Foundation Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

"Ben is always thoughtful of others and willing to help our patients in need," his colleague writes. "Thank you, Ben."

Greg Van Meter, registered nurse, Intensive Care Unit

When a Cox Branson patient had a positive breakthrough with their health, RN Greg Van Meter rejoiced in such a way that it helped the patient's spouse feel like they weren't alone.

"He made us feel like we were being taken care of by an angel," the patient's spouse says. "I truly believe Greg deserves a DAISY Foundation Award for Extraordinary Nurses."

The patient's spouse continues: "The first day, my husband had a really hard time. I got to be in his room for nine hours. Greg took attentive care of him, showed great compassion toward my husband and myself, being professional and caring. Greg rejoiced over this with me, which really warmed my heart."

Sunshine Awards

The CoxHealth Sunshine Award recognizes the efforts of outstanding nursing support staff members. 

Zoie Coleman, nursing assistant, Step Down Unit

Zoie Coleman, a nursing assistant in our Step Down Unit, recently sat in Labor & Delivery with a patient and her newborn. Although the mother was combative, aggressive and verbally abusive to medical staff, Zoie stuck with the patient and stayed the entire time.

For her efforts, Cox Branson presented Zoie with a CoxHealth Sunshine Award, which honors outstanding nursing support staff.

"Zoie demonstrated maturity and passion for her job and maintained her status at the bedside, never once allowing the patient's attempts to upset her," a colleague writes. "Zoie maintained constant contact with the nurse and security guard, and kept us aware of any situation so that we could respond as quickly as necessary."

Alexis James, certified nurse assistant, Clinical Decision ER

Alexis James makes our patients feel wonderful. That's how a colleague describes Alexis, a certified nurse assistant in the Cox Branson Clinical Decision ER.

Recently, a patient who had been unable to bathe for several weeks was uncomfortable. That's when Alexis jumped into action.

Alexis assembled her supplies and proceeded to bathe the patient from head to toe. She washed, combed and styled the patient's hair. The patient reported feeling much better after being pampered.

"A recent addition to our CDU family, Alexis is already leading the way in compassion," the colleague writes.

Teresa Turan, nursing assistant, Clinical Decision ER

"She was a ray of sunshine each time she walked in ... she made 'cleaning up' feel like a spa adventure between two old friends."

That's how a patient describes her interaction with Teresa Turan, a nursing assistant in our Clinical Decision ER, and it's why we awarded Teresa with a CoxHealth Sunshine Award for outstanding nursing support staff.

"During my stay at Cox Branson, Teresa not only surpassed her duties as a nurse aide, she made me feel like I mattered," the patient writes. "Besides being attentive, available, quick, efficient, friendly, positive, thoughtful, gentle, responsible, trustworthy and proactive, Teresa was creative."

Teresa helped the patient bathe, brushed her hair, chatted and always asked if there was anything else she could do to help.

"She was completely present with me and it made me feel like I mattered," the patient writes. "She was a ray of sunshine each time she walked in. Thank you, Teresa!"