May Daisy Award Recipient Josh Harrison is pictured with Curtis Badder and his wife Carrie Shaw, RN, who nominated Josh for this honor.

McLeod Registered Nurse Josh Harrison was named the May DAISY Award Recipient for McLeod Regional Medical Center on May 17, 2018. Harrison, a Patient Care Supervisor on the Stroke Unit, was nominated by Carrie Shaw, a Clinical Nurse Manager at McLeod Regional Medical Center and wife of stroke patient, Curtis Badder, for the extraordinary care Badder received while in the McLeod Stroke Unit.

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 husband, at 43-years-old, experienced symptoms that we felt could be a pinched nerve,” said Shaw “His symptoms progressively worsened so we came to the McLeod Emergency Department. Once there we were shocked when we were informed Curtis had suffered a stroke.”

After Curtis was admitted to the McLeod Stroke Unit. Shaw said, “When I entered his room, Josh was sitting with my husband reviewing the admission assessment. I had a lot of questions running through my head, but I never had a chance to ask any of them because Josh answered them all. He made Curtis and I feel safe, relaxed, and educated on what to expect in the next few days.

“Josh was an angel for me and my husband while we were in the Stroke Unit. I am so very thankful he is a part of my McLeod family. It makes my heart happy to know he also provides other patients and their families reassurance and a sense of safety and comfort,” added Shaw.

Badder added, “Josh made me feel at ease at a time when I was feeling very scared and confused. His friendly and caring demeanor were relaxing and reassuring and made me more comfortable. I am so appreciative of his care and I’m glad I can be here today to share my gratitude.”

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.