Mackenzie King, RN, a staff nurse on the Cardiology floor, was recently named the October DAISY Award Recipient for McLeod Regional Medical Center. King 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, “Almost one year ago, I met a young lady who had such an uplifting and positive way about her. I came in during the night with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). I previously had only one other experience with this before. I was on vacation in Chicago and had to be in the hospital for several days. It caused a great deal of anxiety. When this episode began, the same anxiety returned.

“I was very scared. For anyone who has experienced AFib, there is a fear that the symptoms will never go away. I didn’t know how long this was going to last.

“When I arrived in the Cardiology unit, Mackenzie welcomed me and immediately recognized my anxiety. She went the extra mile to ensure that I was comforted and reassured. She made every effort to ease my anxiety. She was so attentive. She talked me through everything to help calm me. All of my concerns were important to her. She didn’t make light of them or brush them off like she could have. She even stayed over past the end of her shift to be sure that I was settled and okay. That meant so much to me.

“I am submitting this almost one year after my last event. Recently, I went for a check-up and saw the DAISY Award brochure. Things are going well, and I am so thankful that I haven’t had another episode.

“But I will never forget you Mackenzie. Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm, care, compassion and kindness to an elderly lady who was terribly afraid. You were always there, ready and willing to help me. For that, I will forever be grateful.”