McLeod Nurse Meg Gliarmis was named the October DAISY Award Recipient for McLeod Regional Medical Center on October 16, 2018.

Gliarmis was nominated by Austin Caulder for the care she provided to his wife, Karen, who was involved in a motor vehicle accident while thirteen weeks pregnant with their second child.

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.

“My wife had no external injuries, although she had severe abdominal cramps and a fear that something was wrong with our child,” recalls Austin. “I drove her to the Emergency Department, where Meg was working at the intake desk. As she was finding out why we were there, she could see how distraught my wife was about our baby.

“Meg immediately took us to a room and located the baby’s heart rate with an ultrasound. My wife and I were instantly relieved knowing the heart beat was present in our little one,” added Austin. “We are so thankful Meg identified and acted on the distress and fear that she saw in our faces. We had the best experience due to her quick actions, and she continued to check on us even though she was assigned to a different area. Meg is well-deserving of this recognition.”

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.