Starr Regional Medical Center Announces Second Quarter 2026 DAISY Award Recipient
July 24, 2026
Starr Regional Medical Center announced today that Julie Teague, BSN, RN, has been named the recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for the second quarter of 2026.
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors the exceptional care and compassion nurses provide to patients and families every day. Nominations may be submitted by anyone who experiences or observes extraordinary nursing care.
“It is always an honor to present the DAISY Award to one of our outstanding nurses,” said Deborah Vaughn, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer at Starr Regional Medical Center. “I’m honored to recognize Julie for her clinical excellence and the genuine compassion she shows to every patient and family she serves.”
Teague is a labor and delivery nurse in the Women’s & Children's Services department, where her compassion, experience and clinical expertise have made a lasting impact on patients, families and colleagues.
“Julie’s ability to think critically during an emergency while providing compassionate care exemplifies what it means to be an extraordinary nurse,” Vaughn added. “She ensures her patients feel supported, respected and cared for, and we are grateful to have her on our team.”
The nomination submitted on Teague’s behalf described how she made an extraordinary difference during a sudden, life-threatening obstetrical emergency.
When the patient arrived in active preterm labor, Teague quickly recognized that the situation was far more urgent than initially apparent. She remained calm, provided clear instructions, continuously monitored both mother and baby, and offered reassurance during an extremely frightening experience.
As the emergency escalated, Teague acted decisively to help ensure the safest possible outcome for both mother and infant. Her clinical expertise, quick thinking and steady presence were critical throughout the delivery and immediate postpartum period. Beyond the emergency itself, she demonstrated genuine compassion by checking on the mother and baby in the days that followed.
The patient credited Teague’s swift actions, professionalism and dedication with helping save both lives and described her as a nurse who went above and beyond during one of the most challenging moments of her family's life.
DAISY Award honorees are selected by a committee of nurses at Starr Regional Medical Center who carefully review each nomination. Presentations are conducted as a surprise in front of the honoree’s colleagues, patients and visitors.
Each recipient receives a certificate recognizing them as an “Extraordinary Nurse,” which 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.” Honorees also receive “A Healer’s Touch,” a hand-carved sculpture created by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
The DAISY Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Glen Ellen, California, was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 in 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disease. The compassionate care Barnes and his family received inspired the creation of the DAISY Award to recognize nurses who make a profound difference in the lives of patients and families. Learn more at DAISYFoundation.org.
To nominate a nurse for The DAISY Award, forms are available in common areas and nursing units on Starr Regional Medical Center’s Athens and Etowah campuses, as well as online at StarrRegional.com/daisy-award. The program is open to nurses, including LPNs, RNs and nurse practitioners. Non-nursing team members who are nominated are recognized through separate programs.
Pictured are (first row left to right): Jan Weatherspoon, DHA, MSN, BSN, RN, NEA-BC,CNLC, director of Women’s & Children’s Services; Allie Balaban, BSN, RN, labor and delivery nurse and Teague’s daughter; Abbie Teague, Teague’s daughter; Julie Teague, BSN, RN, labor and delivery nurse and DAISY Award recipient; Erin Wilson, RN, Quality Analyst and The DAISY Award Coordinator; Alison Walker, MSN, RN, CPAN, Discharge Advocate and Education Coordinator; (second row left to right) Jack Newman, administration intern; Mitzi Newberry, RN, CPPS, director of Quality & Risk Management; Rob Clark, RN, director of Emergency Services; and John McLain, CEO.