Baptist Union County recognizes nurse who performs above and beyond expectations

Yvonne Thompson, an outpatient surgery department nurse at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County, recently received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an award given in appreciation of the work nurses do.

Thompson was nominated by several former patients who praised Thompson for her patience and comforting demeanor.

Nurses like Thompson are nominated by patients and their families for the DAISY Award, and from those nominations, nursing leadership at Baptist Union County selects nurses to receive the award.

At a presentation in front of the nurses, colleagues, patients, family, and visitors, Thompson received a certificate and a sculpture. The sculpture, titled “A Healer’s Touch,” is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

“I am very proud that Yvonne was recognized for her compassion and professionalism,” said Randy White, chief nursing officer at Baptist Union County.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, Calif., was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at age 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, an auto-immune disease.