Patients are showing their love for Baptist nurses! Several Baptist nurses earned the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for their compassion and kindness. Patients, family members or colleagues nominated nurses at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Booneville, Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi, Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women and Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. Keep reading to learn more about our extraordinary nurses.
Baptist Anderson
Baileigh Mitchell, registered nurse in the Emergency department, won the DAISY Award for her compassion. She was nominated by a patient who needed extra attention during his visit for an emergency. The patient wrote, “Baileigh came into the room and simply sat there and talked with me, helping me to calm down. She told me what was happening and what to expect. Her ability to listen and explain things in a comforting way truly exemplifies the heart of compassionate care.”
Baptist Booneville
Melissa Putnam, registered nurse in the Operating Room, earned the DAISY Award for her kindness and compassion. She was nominated by a colleague, who said, “Melissa is the definition of kindness. She is caring and compassionate and doesn’t expect anything in return.”
The nominator shared a story about Melissa leaving work after her shift to get food for a patient who woke up from surgery with cravings. “She could have gone home knowing she’d have to be back early the next morning, but she took time out of her night to do something for someone else. She has a big heart and always has a smile on her face. She is a blessing to all of her patients and the staff.”
Baptist North Mississippi
Kristi Burns, registered nurse in Labor and Delivery, earned the DAISY Award after being nominated by a patient for her compassion. The patient went into labor early and had some complications, but she applauded Kristi’s energy, heart and ability to make her feel comfortable in a difficult situation. The patient wrote, “She was with me every step of the way and continued to check on me throughout my hospital stay. She is doing exactly what she has been called to do on this earth. She is an angel, and I will always remember how she made me feel on such a special and sort of scary day!”
Marquazia Pegues, registered nurse in Acute Care, won the DAISY Award after being nominated by a colleague for her dedication and persistence when caring for a challenging patient with a dialysis line who refused to allow the dressing to be changed for infection prevention. Marquazia didn’t move on after the patient refused the care. The next day, she educated the patient and family members on the importance of changing the dressing, even if it is temporarily uncomfortable.
The nominator wrote, “The patient finally agreed and allowed her to change the dressing. While this task in itself is small, the implications of not pursuing it could be huge. Being dedicated enough to try more than once to convince this patient to allow the dressing to be changed speaks very highly of her character as a nurse.”
Baptist Women’s Hospital
Paul Gorham, registered nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care unit, earned the DAISY Award for helping an anxious patient who doesn’t like hospitals. The grateful patient nominated Paul for his ability to listen and see him as a person, not just a patient. “Paul had a way of making me feel human despite my condition. He would talk and joke with me at length when I was capable of doing so, and when I couldn’t, he would sit at my bedside holding my hand and reassuring me.”
Alyssa Little, registered nurse in Labor and Delivery, earned the DAISY Award for her compassion. A patient nominated Alyssa for helping her through a very emotional and traumatic time with hugs and extra attention. “She is the most deserving of a DAISY Award, and that would only be a glimpse of my gratitude for her during my tragic time,” said the patient. “I felt as though she was a literal angel, a light in our dark time. Not only was she truly compassionate and caring, but she also went the extra mile even when she didn’t have to when I’m sure she was tired after her shift, but she didn’t hesitate!”
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center
Lauren Bryant, registered nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit, received the DAISY Award for her dedication. She was nominated by a patient’s mother who said that Lauren went above and beyond and was her child’s voice when she couldn’t speak for herself. The mother applauded Lauren’s graciousness and support and said, “The world needs more Laurens.”
Chris Coker, a registered nurse in Same Day Surgery, won the DAISY Award. He was nominated by a patient’s wife. “We could not have had a better nurse than Chris. He met my husband’s every need,” said the nominator. She also shared that Chris even walked her to her car and was “a compassionate and exemplary nurse.”
Gracie Ingram, registered nurse in Medical-Surgical, earned the DAISY Award after a patient nominated her for her attentiveness. The patient said that Gracie is “personable and authentic,” and praised her for also helping her grandmother and fiancé who were visiting. The patient said, “With nurses like her, there is hope that each patient has a nurse advocate he or she can trust.”
Matthew Reves, registered nurse in the Intensive Care unit, won the DAISY Award after a patient’s friend nominated him. According to the nomination, Matthew was the patient’s favorite nurse. “He listened to the patient and his wife and did everything he could to make them comfortable during his final days,” said the patient’s friend.
Amy Windham, a registered nurse certified in inpatient obstetrics, earned the DAISY Award. She is head nurse in Labor and Delivery and one of her patients, who had her baby prematurely, nominated her. In the nomination, the patient said: “Amy realized how anxious I was and brought me a cold, wet rag to put on my face. I will never forget that.” The patient also shared that Amy helped her when she fainted post-delivery by getting her back to bed, helping her husband stay calm and making sure she had something to eat.
