McLeod Regional Medical Center’s March DAISY Award recipient Cheryl Wilhelm, RN, is pictured with Kay Slice, who nominated Cheryl for the care she provided to her husband.

McLeod Registered Nurse Cheryl Wilhelm was named the March DAISY Award Recipient for McLeod Regional Medical Center on March 26, 2018. Wilhelm, a staff nurse for McLeod Hospice, received four different nominations from family members of patients she had cared for over the last six months.

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.

In one nomination form, a family member wrote, “Cheryl is a phenomenal Hospice Nurse. She truly cares about all of her patients and always goes the extra mile. She treats her patients as a member of her family, with the kindness and compassion that they need.”

Kay Slice, who nominated Wilhelm for the care she provided to her husband said, “We didn’t know what to expect when my husband was brought to the McLeod Hospice House. Fortunately, Cheryl was there for us, answering all of our questions. Cheryl is so special to my family. We are grateful for the care she gave my husband during his last days.”

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.