The 2019 Nurse of the Year Award recipients for McLeod Regional Medical Center are (from left to right) Chris Snead, CRNA; Daryl Hammonds, RN; and Heather Buchner, MST.

McLeod Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce the 2019 Nurse of the Year Award recipients: Chris Snead, CRNA; Daryl Hammonds, RN; and Heather Buchner, Medical Surgical Technician. The winners were recognized during a special ceremony and McLeod celebration in conjunction with National Nurses Week.

“Being selected as a Nurse of the Year is a very honorable recognition,” said Tony Derrick, Chief Nursing Officer for McLeod Regional Medical Center. “We appreciate our nurses every day, but Nurses Week is a time we honor our nurses for providing quality care to our patients. The Mission of McLeod Health is to improve the overall health and well-being of the people living within South Carolina and eastern North Carolina by providing excellence in health care, and our nurses are an instrumental part of that goal.”

Chris Snead, Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year, is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with McLeod Regional Medical Center.

“Chris consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that his patients are safe and comfortable,” says Rocky Cagle, Director of Anesthesia. “Chris gives the best patient care, and his co-workers never doubt his decisions. In fact, many co-workers ask that he care for their family members. There is no greater compliment than willingly placing your family in his care.”

Daryl Hammonds, Registered Nurse of the Year, works in the Trauma Surgical Care Unit.

“Daryl is truly an ideal team player,” says Trish Taylor, Director of the Trauma Surgical Care Unit. “Daryl possesses humility, hunger, and an ability to connect with patients in a meaningful way. He gives selflessly to patients and co-workers alike.”

Heather Buchner, Nursing Tech of the Year, is a Medical Surgical Technician (MST) with the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

“Heather makes the unit feel more like a healing environment primarily because of her positive and uplifting spirit,” says Sarah Roland, Director of Children’s Hospital. “She keeps the unit moving in a forward direction, and Heather never has to be asked to complete anything because she has already anticipated every need or desire and insured that the patients and staff are happy and relaxed.”

“A McLeod Nurse does not do what they do for the recognition; they do it for the patients,” said Derrick. “Every day, I am in awe of what our Nurses can accomplish. Our outcomes prove what excellent care our patients receive. As the Chief Nursing Officer, I am so impressed with their quality work and daily dedication. I believe we have some of the best nurses in the world here at McLeod.”