Becky Fidler, a Staff Nurse on the Oncology floor, was recently named a DAISY Award Recipient for McLeod Regional Medical Center. Becky was nominated by a patient’s family member for her extraordinary care and compassion.

To recognize those Nurses at McLeod Regional Medical Center who are true examples of Nursing Excellence, patients, family members, and co-workers may nominate nurses for 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.

On the nomination form, Jenifer O’Neal wrote, “We first met Becky a couple of years ago when my dad was admitted for heart issues. There were no rooms on the Cardiology floor, so he was placed in Oncology. That was the best thing to happen to us.

“We met one of the sweetest nurses ever. She took my daddy and me under her wing and treated us like family. My daddy is one big cut-up, and she went right along with him. We have stayed in touch with her throughout the years.

“Since then, my daddy was diagnosed with cancer and admitted again to the Oncology floor recently.

It was a wonderful reunion when we saw Becky, and we were ecstatic to learn she would be our nurse again. It made our day! She said no one wants a cancer diagnosis and was so encouraging to him.

“You have a treasure in Becky. She is the most caring and loving nurse. I am nominating her for the DAISY Award because she is most deserving and needs to know how much her kind spirit means to the families who are blessed to be under her care.”

About the DAISY Nursing Award

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, 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 way of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Nurses may be nominated for their strong clinical skills and the compassionate care they provide. Nomination forms are available in each nursing unit at McLeod Regional Medical Center or can be found at www.McLeodNursing.org.

Recipients of the DAISY Award are chosen by the DAISY committee, led by nurses at McLeod Regional Medical Center. Awards are given throughout the year at presentations 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.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” The honoree is also given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.