AMERICUS — Phoebe Sumter recently honored their latest DAISY and PRIDE award recipients. The goal of these awards is to recognize excellence in the workplace by both nurses and non-nursing employees.
Lisa Weldon, a patient representative, was awarded the PRIDE award. Since joining the Phoebe Family in June 2017, Weldon has made a positive impact not only on patients and families but also her coworkers. “I have heard countless stories of her leaving cards for people who needed a pick me up, or helping out when they needed it most. She certainly takes pride in what she does for both our patients and her coworkers,” according to the nomination letter.
The most recent DAISY award recipient is Sheila Wright, RN, Hematology Oncology Clinic, who was nominated by a cancer patient for the dedication and kindness she shows all her patients every day.
“I told her that first day that I was absolutely terrified, more terrified than I had ever been in my life. She told me she would be with me the whole way. And, she was always there. It was like a shadow. I thank God I was blessed with this staff at Phoebe-Sumter Oncology. But I especially thank Him for Sheila. I could never have made it through chemotherapy without her at my side during this journey,” said the patient.
Phoebe PRIDE stands for Person Responding In Dedicated Excellence and recognizes excellence in the workplace by non-nursing employees. The award is presented periodically throughout the year and each winner is recognized at a special ceremony. Patients, family, visitors, employees and volunteers are encouraged to nominate a Phoebe employee when they see a person responding in dedicated excellence.
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif., and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who 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 Barnes 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.
At a presentation given in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors, the honoree will receive a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The honoree will also be given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
To read Wright’s or Weldon’s full nomination letter as well as past award recipients, visit phoebehealth.com.