Spring 2022 DAISY Award Honorees

Each quarter, CoxHealth recognizes nurses who have provided outstanding care with DAISY Awards. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is presented in medical facilities throughout the United States to recognize the education, training, skill and compassionate care nurses provide. Patients, their friends and families, colleagues, physicians and volunteers may nominate a nurse for the award.

Here are the spring 2022 Springfield honorees:

Keshia Stone, RN, Emergency Department-South

Keshia was nominated by a colleague for helping a family involved in a car crash. Keshia dedicated her time after working a 16-hour shift to helping care for a child, a promise she made to the child’s mother.

“Keshia promised the mother that she would take care of the small child until we knew what was going on with the patient and the rest of the family. Keshia continued to take care of her three assigned patients and keep the child entertained. Keshia had already worked a 16-hour shift and clocked out.

“However, she could not hand over the care of the discharged young child to someone else, as she had made a promise to the mother that she would take care of the child until the mother got discharged or found another family member who could care for the child. The mother ended up getting discharged 1.5 hours later. At this time, Keshia kept going above and beyond by trying to arrange for a place for the family to stay.”

Amber Crockett, RN, 500 East Critical Care Unit

Amber was nominated by a family member of a patient who passed away in the COVID-19 ICU. Family of the patient would call to receive updates since they were not able to visit the ICU. The family member says Crockett was beyond thorough with her explanation of her father’s care and treatment plan.

“If we did not understand, she took the time to explain. I cannot imagine how stressful her job must be with caring for the sickest patients and being compassionate to all family members. She got to know my dad and would comfort him when he did not have anyone else. They became friends and got to know each other.

“Amber was going to help us get an iPad so we could raise his spirits watching a KC Chiefs football game. Unfortunately, it did not happen. On that day he needed to be heavily sedated, but Amber was there by his side holding his hand and talking him through it.

“Even though the truth hurts, Amber had a way of delivering the information to us in hope and peace, and she made my dad feel the same way. You could tell that she was truly sorry for the outcome and did all she could do for him. We could not imagine going through this experience with any other nurse. Her skills, knowledge and love for her job are exceptional. I want to thank her and let her know how much she helped us and we will never forget her.”

Katie Price, RN, 5E Critical Care Unit