McLeod Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner Jason Hewett, September DAISY Award recipient, is pictured with his patient, Sierra Morris.

McLeod Nurse Practitioner Jason Hewett was named the September DAISY Award Recipient for McLeod Regional Medical Center on October 1, 2018.

Hewett was nominated by Kellie James for the care he provided to her 12-year-old niece Sierra James in the Emergency Department following an incident that required multiple stitches.

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.

“To say that Jason was amazing in caring for Sierra is an absolute understatement,” said James. “Words cannot express our gratitude for his professionalism, compassion, patience, understanding, communication, knowledge, empathy and love shown to her during those hours of care, which extended well beyond his shift.”

“For her to have been so frightened being in the Emergency Department, Sierra has begged her mother to go back when it is time to have her stitches removed, wanting only Mr. Jason to do so,” added James. “Sierra’s outlook on healthcare could have been very different had he not cared for her that evening. He deserves to be recognized for bestowing exemplary, whole-hearted care to my niece.”

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 on 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.