Marquita Cannick, BSN, RN, a Labor & Delivery Staff Nurse, was recently named the January DAISY Award Recipient for McLeod Regional Medical Center. Cannick was nominated by a patient 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.

The patient wrote, “On December 30, I delivered my second child, my 10 lbs. 11 oz. baby boy, vaginally after a previous C-section. My first child turned three in October, and that delivery was very difficult. I developed an abscess and had to have wet-to-dry dressing changes for 16 weeks as a brand new mother. Fast forward to the pregnancy of my son, I wanted to avoid my first delivery experience as much as possible.

“As a pharmacist at Walmart in Darlington, I would often see Marquita. She provided so much insight and information for my pregnancy journey. Not wanting to receive medications, I was induced at 41 weeks. At shift change, Marquita happened to be scheduled and was assigned to care for me.

“Knowing that I desperately wanted a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), Marquita tried various methods and was literally working as hard as I was. She knew I had a goal for an unmedicated VBAC, and she worked to help me achieve that goal.

“I think the skills she displayed through patient advocacy and working alongside me to fulfill my goals sets her apart as a nurse. I delivered my baby boy via VBAC, and I truly believe I couldn’t have done it without Marquita! She greatly deserves this award.”

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.