Kayla Callahan, a registered nurse at Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC), was recently honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.
Kayla works in the Cardiac Step Down Unit (CDSU) at Tift Regional Medical Center. She was nominated for the award by multiple co-workers for her dedication and commitment to her patients.
Kayla’s nomination said, “Kayla is well known around Southwell for her energetic and caring nature. She is a phenomenal nurse who frequently goes out of her way to go above and beyond for patients, their families, and her coworkers with no expectation of anything in return.”
“Kayla represents the dedication and care that define exceptional nursing. Her commitment to her patients and their families, especially during critical moments, is commendable,” said Leigh Luke, Manager of CSDU. “We are proud to see her recognized with The DAISY Award, highlighting her empathy and efforts to ensure the best outcomes for those she serves.”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Tift Regional Medical Center are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses has been adopted by healthcare facilities around the world to celebrate nurses for their extraordinary care and compassion. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of nurses at Tift Regional Medical Center to receive The DAISY Award. The DAISY Award is presented each quarter at a surprise presentation. Each recipient receives a certificate commending them for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are and the incredibly meaningful difference your teamwork makes in the lives of so many people.” The recipient also receives a specially engraved plaque engraved with their name.
“We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in the DAISY Award program,” said Tonia Garrett, Chief Nursing Officer for Southwell. “Positive patient experiences occur when nurses like Kayla go above and beyond for those we serve. We are extremely grateful for our nurses who are giving their all every day, and to the DAISY foundation for providing this on-going recognition platform for nurses.” The DAISY Award is an initiative of The DAISY Foundation in service to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing, and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.
