Jenny Taylor Named First "DAISY" Award Recipient

Jenny Taylor, RN, was named the first DAISY award recipient at a Thursday, August 21 morning ceremony.  Taylor, who works in the medical center’s West Central Orthopedics clinic, was recently named Director of Clinics and received the award in front of a crowd of over 75 who came to honor all 13 nominees.  Katie Heldt, chief nurse executive, read all of the nominations and each nominee was given a bouquet of daisies, a special name badge card and a DAISY pin.

Taylor received a certificate that 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.”  She also received a beautiful hand-carved sculpture.  Taylor joins thousands of nurses world-wide who, in the past 15 years, have been recognized for the extraordinary care they provide patients.

After the ceremony, Taylor said, "We, at Greene County Medical Center, have a great group of nurses who go above and beyond.  Every day someone is going the extra mile to ensure our patients and families are comfortable and cared for. Not only do they care about the patients and families, they care for each other! To be nominated as well as being selected is a huge honor. "

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the “superhuman efforts nurses perform every day.”  That foundation was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes.  He 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 Patrick and his family received from nurses inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

The medical center intends to honor nurses twice a year with a DAISY award.  The next one is scheduled for November 2014.  Nominations can be made by patients, their family members, caretakers, community members or co-workers.  Patients and family members are especially encouraged to participate in the nomination process.

All areas of the medical center were represented in this first DAISY award process and included the following nominees:
Andrea Allbee, Acute Care
Sarah Borgeson, Surgery/Public Health
Carol Christensen, Long Term Care
Lori Herrick, Emergency
Jeanne Hoening, Long Term Care
Kristie Hurley, Medical Center Clinics
Tina McCollom, Surgery
Desiree Monaghan, Acute Care
Bev Morgan, Long Term Care
Tammy Spaulding, Long Term Care
Kim Tasler, Acute Care
Jenny Taylor, Medical Center Clinics
Heather Wilson, Advanced Women’s Care