South Georgia Medical Center honored Samantha Davis, RN, with the July DAISY Award for extraordinary nursing care. Davis was recognized for her compassion and comfort for a family experiencing the loss of a baby.
Davis was nominated by a patient who sent a handwritten letter detailing her outstanding care. The nomination describes her as “compassionate, kind, caring, professional, and diligent” during a very tragic and difficult experience of delivering a stillborn baby.
The nomination details how Davis took special care to prepare the baby and family to say goodbye. She took the baby’s handprints and footprints and put together a memory box for the family. The patient describes how Davis’s actions meant the world to her and her husband.
“She went above and beyond for her duty, stepped out of her nurse role for a time just to be a friend, an ear to listen, and kind words to ease my broken heart.”
Katie Gordon, Nurse Manager for Labor and Delivery, describes how Davis has spent extra time making cards for hand and footprints as well as bracelets for moms. “Samantha has a true passion for helping mothers through a difficult time.”
SGMC 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’s DAISY Award.
To nominate a nurse for the DAISY award, visit sgmc.org/daisy.