CoxHealth recognizes nurses 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, co-workers, physicians and volunteers may nominate a nurse for the award.

Anna Bledsoe, CCU/MICU, Cox South

A fellow nurse nominated Anna for her compassion at the end of a patient’s life. Anna was caring for a patient whose family had chosen to withdraw care. The family had experienced another loss in their family just days before and they were emotional and exhausted. As soon as life support was withdrawn, the family said their goodbyes and left the room. Anna remained with the patient, by her side, until her last breath.

“Any nurse can give care for her patients and their families, but a nurse with compassion and care is a quality that cannot be taught,” her colleague wrote in the nomination. “Anna displayed true care and compassion for her patient until the end. This is what the Daisy award is all about.”

Rachel Jenkins, CCU/MICU, Cox South

A colleague nominated Rachel for her efforts in caring for an MICU patient who was going home on hospice. The patient’s wife was overwhelmed with the task of caring for him and their children could not always be there to assist.

Rachel went to the patient’s home as a volunteer on her day off to provide support and comfort for the patient and his wife.

“Because of Rachel’s deep compassion for this patient and his family, he was able to see his beloved dogs and allowed the dignity of dying in the comfort of his own home,” Rachel’s fellow nurse wrote in the nomination. “Rachel is truly an extraordinary nurse!”

Shawn Casiday, Emergency Department, Cox South

Shawn was nominated by colleagues for going above and beyond to care for an elderly patient being discharged after a visit to the ED. The gentleman was experiencing weakness and having difficulty ambulating without a walker, which he had at home.

Shawn knew that when the patient got home he would have a difficult time getting into his house. The patient’s discharge coincided with the end of Shawn’s shift and chose to clock out and follow the couple home to make sure they got safely into their house.

“Shawn truly goes above and beyond for our patients every day,” his colleagues wrote in the nomination. “This was just one example of how he cares for people.”