SGMC Health honored Gina Colson, Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit Charge Nurse, with the December DAISY Award for extraordinary nursing care. Colson was recognized for her “heartfelt compassion” for an organ donor patient and their family.
Colson was nominated by Nursing Administrative Coordinator Marquez Roney for her “servant’s heart” displayed in the emotional experience of organ donation. Colson has cared for many donor patients; however, this one was especially meaningful.
The team held an Honor Walk which is a ceremonial procession where the donor patient is wheeled from their hospital room to the operating room for the organ donation procedure. This solemn event is a way to honor the individual and their family who chose to donate their organs and to show respect for the gift of life they are providing to others through organ transplantation.
Colson participated in the Honor Walk, accompanying the patient and his spouse to the OR. Emotional, as any significant other would be, the patient’s wife said her goodbyes and then turned to hug Colson, offering her thanks for all that she did. Amidst grieving the untimely death of her husband, the patient’s wife thought it would only be right to express her praise to Colson for the compassionate care and empathy she gave to her husband and family during such a difficult time.
SGMC Health continues to ask patients and fellow employees to honor nurses they feel go above and beyond in their actions and care. Nominations are reviewed by a committee based on criteria that include compassion, teamwork, leadership, attitude, and skills and knowledge.
DAISY awards are presented monthly in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” They also receive a beautiful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. A special floral arrangement of daisies was generously donated by The Flower Gallery, the local sponsor of SGMC Health’s DAISY Award.
To nominate a nurse for the DAISY award, visit sgmc.org/daisy.