Carol Thetford, CNO at Baptist Women’s Hospital and Baptist Children’s Hospital, retired this week after earning the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award for nurses who have devoted their lives to the compassionate care of others. She served Baptist for 43 years, first working in the NICU following graduation from Baptist Memorial School of Nursing (now Baptist Health Sciences University) in 1980. Carol became night shift head nurse and was promoted to NICU nurse manager before becoming CNO in 2002.
This is the first time the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award has been presented at these hospitals. Recipients of the award are recognized for their dedication to nursing through active mentoring, role modeling, advocating for patients and promoting a positive image of nursing.
“Carol has made a lasting impression on the Women’s and Children’s Hospitals. The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award is a great way to honor her legacy of leadership, mentoring and service,” said Allison Bosse, administrator/CEO of Baptist Women’s Hospital and Baptist Children’s Hospital.
Carol was nominated for the award by nurse managers and Suzanne Greer, executive assistant with Baptist Women’s Hospital.
At the award presentation, Carol was thanked for making a real difference through the relationships she formed with her patients, their families, fellow nurses, respiratory therapists and physicians. She was also praised for being an approachable, understanding, confident and strong leader who could take charge during challenging times and always knew when to take a chance on new nurses and how to guide them.
“You cared for the babies as if they were your own, and everyone could tell. We knew you really cared, and you were a role model for fellow nurses. The NICU had the lowest nursing turnover in the system for years based on the framework and team that you helped to create,” said Suzanne at the award presentation.
She continued, “A simple thank you is not enough to say as we celebrate our CNO. Carol, you have set the stage for our continued success as we provide quality care for our patients. Your vision has brought us to this point, and we don’t want to let you down. You have taught us well, and we hope to make you proud as we continue the work set before us.”
