VUMC 2023 DAISY Recipients

Read Rebecca's Nomination

“I received one of the most unexpected wake-up calls — my grandmother was headed emergently via EMS to the ER for a stroke … Rebecca went out of her way to ensure my family was comfortable while in the ER and lobby. She would take moments out of her busy day and patient load to walk all the way out to the lobby and give us personal updates. If it were not for Rebecca, our visit would have been nothing but miserable and frightening. She even assisted us until the moment my grandmother was wheeled out of the department. Rebecca even checked up on us a few days later during my grandmother’s admission. I am very thankful for rare nurses like Rebecca.”
 

Read Devon's Nomination

“I showed up to the ER with my 5-month-old baby girl who had tested positive for RSV two days prior. I had already taken my child to multiple doctors, urgent cares and ER clinics when I had lost all hope. She had gone 12 hours with no wet or poopy diapers and 12 hours without a feeding. As soon as Devon saw my baby girl in the ER triage, she immediately took her in as if she were her own and went to work. She assured me that my concerns were valid, and she was shocked it had gotten this far without the help of others. Devon was the only nurse who made me feel like I wasn’t crazy, and that my mother’s intuition was absolutely correct. She got us into a room, and on oxygen ASAP and from there she never left our side.”

Read Holley's Nomination

“Holley has consistently gone above and beyond expectations to help me obtain needed medical care. For example, several times during the COVID-19 pandemic I developed a skin infection which worsened rapidly within hours and was very painful … Holley was extremely responsive in making sure I received doctoral and medical care, and that I received an antibiotic prescription that quickly fought the infection and relieved the excruciating pain I was in. This made a tremendous difference in my life, as she more than once worked extra to ensure that I was taken care of before night came or a weekend began and care would be hard to get.”

Read Brady's Nomination

“Brady has proven to be calm, kind, compassionate and professional (both in demeanor and communication) in high acuity situations, promoting and ensuring the safety and well-being of both his patients and his colleagues. Patients on the Behavioral Health Team are patients that present to our hospital in acute behavioral health crisis (suicidal, homicidal, aggressive). They have undergone a crisis assessment in the Emergency Department, and the recommendation is for acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization due to risk of harm to self or others. … Brady deserves this DAISY Award for his steadfast compassion and professionalism in the most difficult of situations.”

Read Marsha's Nomination

“I came into L&D at the hospital as a transfer from the birth center. I had another nurse for a couple hours who was also incredible, and she handed me over to Marsha when the shift change occurred and told me ‘I’d let Marsha take care of me any day.’ By the end of my experience, I definitely understood why! Marsha was so respectful, kind, and understanding of how much my birth plans had already had to alter, and she fought so hard to give me the labor and delivery I was wanting still. She advocated for me as a patient both in labor and after my son arrived, helped me move into so many positions to keep baby happy through contractions, and was never too busy to answer questions or speak to my doula, who she worked so well with.” 

Read Rebecca's Nomination

“There was a patient … when she arrived to check in she was short of breath. She has COPD and relies on an oxygen concentrator and her machine died on her way to her appointment. She forgot her charger at home. Our team jumped into action and hooked her up to O2 in clinic. We assessed she could not safely travel home (2.5 hour drive) without O2 … Rebecca worked for hours to care for the patient and communicate with the team, as we tried and coordinate oxygen for her trip home. Rebecca made sure this patient’s needs were met in clinic while we worked to source her oxygen. She performed regular O2 saturation checks, an oxygen tolerance test and other checks which would be required to get patient oxygen to take home. She provided lots of education to the patient and family of what the process looked like, and she spent time providing empathy and compassion when the patient and granddaughter were tired and frustrated. She did all this while diligently keeping the clinic staff and management in the loop until a plan was solidified.” 

Read Ashley's Nomination

“I arrived at Vandy Psych lost and scared. I felt insane and alone. All alone. I have had multiple stays in psych facilities, but this was a new caliber. I’ve met a great deal of doctors and nurses but the nurse I would like to spotlight is Ashley. I did not feel like a job that needed doing or a patient needing care, but a friend that needed help. I didn’t talk much, but when I did, she listened. She was quick to provide the care and help I needed. She never seems annoyed or too busy.”

Read Danielle's Nomination

“Danielle made sure that all the education and resources that were at our disposal were clear to us and that we understood how they fit within the needs we had during those first 48 hours. Danielle is wise beyond her years. Not only is she clinically sound, she informs her work by getting to know her patients and is then able to provide the kind of care that deliriously sleepy parents can only dream of. … Vanderbilt, and by extension our family, is lucky to have her and her experience.”

Read Jenny's Nomination

“When given the news that our daughter had a very rare, and almost always fatal, chromosomal condition called Triploidy, our hearts were shattered. We moved through life hoping for a miracle, or a misread blood test, but that just was not part of our plan. We checked in at Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital and were immediately greeted by nurse Jenny Shelton. She has the kindest bedside manner, was extremely warm and nurturing. She was delicate with our situation, and graciously welcomed our friends and family that were visiting to love us during such a hard time. Jenny cared for me, and I felt that she was loving me as a daughter as I was laboring to meet my own.”