Starr Regional Medical Center recently announced that four outstanding nurses – Bailey Burns, Dana Davis, Regenea Gibson and Joshua Poole –  have been recognized as DAISY Award recipients. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is a recognition program honoring “the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day.” The announcement is shared in celebration of National Nurses Month this May.

“At Starr Regional, we are committed to providing the best possible care to everyone who walks through our doors. We are extremely proud to recognize these nurses for serving as examples of this commitment, to both their patients and their co-workers,” said Ronald Hall, RN, chief nursing officer at Starr Regional Medical Center. “Too often the efforts of all nurses, who are always on the front lines of caring for the sick and injured, go unrecognized. The DAISY Award program provides us the opportunity to honor our nurses for their dedication to extraordinary patient care not only in May, but throughout the year.”

The nominations, which may be submitted by anyone who experiences or observes extraordinary, compassionate care being provided by a nurse, best tell the stories as to why these four nurses are deserving of the honor and recognition given to DAISY Award recipients.

Bailey Burns, RN, Women’s Services
Nomination submitted by patient

“This past weekend, my sister and I were vacationing in Tellico Plains. Unfortunately for me, I ended up in the ER at Starr Hospital and was transferred to the Medical Center in Athens. Getting sick while on vacation is bad, but during the holidays even more so!

But, I had Bailey in charge of caring for me. She was truly amazing! She was caring, kind and very professional. I was so impressed. I wanted to pass on to you what a wonderful nurse (and person) she is and such an asset to your Medical Center.

It is rare to see such a caring and dedicated individual working in hospitals I have visited. In fact, every person who came into my room was so friendly and nice. Your group made a bad situation for me a tolerable one and Bailey was the angel taking care of me.

Anyone coming into your Medical Center, needing care and who is fortunate enough to have Bailey caring for them, I would tell them, do not worry, you are in good hands. I know I was and well cared for while there!”

Regenea Gibson, RN, Emergency Department
Nomination submitted by patient’s family member

“I was in the ER with my father on a crazy Saturday. Things were seeming to be moving at a fast pace. Several tests had been run on my father. The physician gave a report of the findings, but we had no way of knowing what was normal or what to expect.

This very special nurse came into the room and explained everything to us in a way we could understand. She also educated us on safety hazards and precautions to be aware of.

Regenea Gibson, thanks for calming us with information and keeping us updated on the status of things. Your care and compassion will never be forgotten. The love you have for your job is evident. Thank you for treating us with such love and respect.”

Dana Davis, RN, Senior Care
Nomination submitted by co-worker

“When I think of what an ideal nurse should be, I think of someone who is able to provide exceptional care while also showing compassion, genuine concern, and sympathy to everyone they encounter. Dana exhibits all of these characteristics and so much more.

Whether you call it dependability, reliability, or something else entirely, you will not find someone who is there for patients and coworkers the way Dana is. She not only shows up for work every single day like clockwork, but her performance never suffers from personal feelings or physical ailments. She's the same person day in and day out and provides consistently superior care for patients and unwavering leadership for staff.

Dana is an example to other nurses, an advocate for patients, a stand-in for family members, a resource for doctors and support staff, and an exemplary employee for management. No matter how unique of an honor she is given, it will pale in comparison to the unique combination of traits that make up this amazing person that in many ways changes the definition of what a nurse should be.”

Joshua Poole, RN, Medical/Surgical Unit
Nomination submitted by patient’s family member

“Josh was very helpful and never made you feel like you were bothering him. My husband has terminal cancer and was admitted for pneumonia and thrush. Nighttime always seems to be the worst. Josh was always either very quick to respond or he would pop his head in and ask if we needed anything if my husband was awake. He is a true professional and was a blessing when we were frightened. Thank you for having him there.”

Honorees are selected by a committee of nurses at Starr Regional Medical Center who thoroughly review and consider each nomination. The presentation of the award is a surprise and takes place in front of the nurse's colleagues, patients, and visitors. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an "Extraordinary Nurse." The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people." They are also given a sculpture, called “A Healer's Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, Calif., was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. For more information about the DAISY Foundation, visit DAISYFoundation.org.

If you would like to nominate a nurse for the DAISY Award, forms are available in the hospital common areas as well as the nursing units on Starr Regional Medical Center's Athens and Etowah campuses. Nomination forms may also be found online at StarrRegional.com. The DAISY Award program is open to nurses only, such as LPNs, RNs, and nurse practitioners. If non-nurses receive a nomination, they will be recognized separately from the DAISY Award program.