We are pleased to announce the most recent UAB St. Vincent’s DAISY Award, recognizing the extraordinary care and compassion that nurses provide for patients and families every day.
Congratulations to Heather Walker, RN, for receiving the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Leaders. Heather is a nurse at UAB St. Vincent’s East. Heather was nominated by a patient.
“I came into [the unit] in the middle of the night, on my birthday. Heather was so sweet and kind. She was soft-spoken and got me settled. When I requested an extra pillow, she got me two. When I couldn’t figure out how to turn the air down, she did it for me. Not only that, but we had a short discussion about how today was my birthday, and about how sad I was to miss the plans I had made. When she came back by during her rounds, she used markers to make me a “Happy Birthday” sign with balloons and put it up in my room.
I was so touched by her small gesture to make my birthday feel like my birthday while in the hospital. She never made me feel like she was rushing out or didn’t have time for me and always stayed to have a small talk or laugh a little. It was such a small gesture, but it meant the world to me that she took the time to make me a sign. It showed me that she paused for a moment in all her other duties to consider me beyond my medical needs.”
The DAISY Award recognizes the extraordinary care and compassion that nurses provide for patients and families every day. Submissions and stories are reviewed each month, and the winner is surprised at a special ceremony. You can nominate a nurse to be honored with The DAISY Award by using this form.