Starr Regional Medical Center honors Deborah Vaughn with DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award

Starr Regional Medical Center recently honored Deborah "Debbie" Vaughn, MSN, BSN, RN, with the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her distinguished career as a nurse, healthcare leader and role model for professional nursing practice. Vaughn, who is now retired, most recently served as chief nursing officer at Starr Regional Medical Center.

The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes nurses who have devoted their life's work to the compassionate care of others. Recipients are nominated for their dedication to nursing through mentoring, role modeling, patient advocacy and promoting a positive image of the profession. They serve as an inspiration to nurses at every stage of their careers and across the many roles within nursing.

Vaughn has more than 40 years of nursing experience, including 36 years in nursing leadership. Before joining Starr Regional Medical Center, she served in interim chief nursing officer roles in Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia. She previously served as chief nursing officer at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, West Virginia, where she retired in 2021.

During her tenure at Starr Regional Medical Center, Vaughn helped implement initiatives that strengthened patient care and supported staff development, including:

• Establishing clinical ladder and internship programs that support professional growth for nurses at all stages of their careers.
• Leading efforts that resulted in The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association's Heart-Check designation as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital, as well as achievement awards for Get With The Guidelines® Rural Stroke GOLD and Rural Stroke SILVER.
• Leading the opening of the hospital's expanded Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the implementation of tele-ICU services.

"Debbie has dedicated her career to serving others with compassion and grace, allowing her faith to guide her every action," said John McLain, CEO of Starr Regional Medical Center. "I have witnessed her lead, coach and communicate in a manner that reflects the core values on which our organization is founded. She has made a lasting impact on our hospital and the many organizations she has served through her commitment to improving patient care, advancing nurse education and development, and leading with her heart."

McLain added, "Debbie is widely respected among nursing leaders as a trusted voice and steadfast advocate for the profession. She ensures patients, providers and staff feel supported, respected and cared for, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have witnessed firsthand the legacy she leaves behind."

The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes nurses with at least 25 years of distinguished service in clinical practice, administration, education and/or research who have advanced the nursing profession, championed professional development and improved the patient experience.

Presentations of the award, coordinated by the hospital's DAISY Committee, are conducted as a surprise. Vaughn was joined by Starr Regional Medical Center leaders, physicians and staff, as well as colleagues and friends from other healthcare organizations who participated virtually in the celebration.

As a recipient of the award, Vaughn received a DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award certificate presented in a DAISY Foundation portfolio, a DAISY lapel pin designed by artist Ann Hand and a personalized Unique Healer's Touch sculpture.

To learn more about The DAISY Award or nominate a nurse, visit StarrRegional.com/daisy-award. Nomination forms are available in common areas and nursing units on Starr Regional Medical Center's Athens and Etowah campuses. The program recognizes nurses across all practice settings, including LPNs, RNs and nurse practitioners. Non-nursing team members who are nominated are recognized through separate programs.