January 2024 Daisy Award Recipient

David Wright receives St. Mary’s DAISY Award for excellence

David Wright, a registered nurse who provides patient care as part of the nursing float pool at St. Mary’s Hospital, has received St. Mary’s systemwide DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence.

Wright was nominated by the mother of an adult patient with multiple chronic conditions who required extraordinary care, including maintaining a feeding tube 24/7 due to his condition causing his sugar levels to drop dangerously fast.

"David was not only aware of this possibility but closely monitored him,” the mother wrote in Wright’s nomination. “Then, this Mom’s worst nightmare began! [My son’s] feeding tube began to leak!"

Not only was the son not getting the nutrition he needed, but the tube’s contents were leaking onto his skin, creating a dangerous and unsterile situation. David rushed to their aid, working diligently to create a temporary fix that would keep him nourished and safe until a permanent solution could be implemented.

The mom cited several other situations in which David delivered exceptional care; the DAISY Award Committee loved that she ended her nomination, quoting: "When David brings a cup of water to a patient, he always puts a little paper umbrella in the cup. A little thing can make a big difference. 'A merry heart does good like medicine' (Proverbs 17:22). That little umbrella always brings a smile. That's good medicine!"

"We are extremely proud of David and all of our DAISY Award recipients,” said Ann Gomes, St. Mary's DAISY Award Committee coordinator and director of orthopedics at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens. "This award demonstrates the vital role nurses play not only as care providers at the bedside but with families and colleagues as well. Congratulations, David!"

David, a resident of Winterville, has worked at St. Mary's twice: first for a brief time in 2018 and again in May of 2023. His role in St. Mary's Nursing Float Pool takes him to many different units and shifts, depending on where the need is greatest.

About the St. Mary's DAISY Award

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide day-in and day-out. It was created in gratitude for the nurses who provided care to Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old husband, and father who lost his fight against a deadly autoimmune disease in 1999. His family created the DAISY Foundation, which now partners with more than 5,000 hospitals and schools in all 50 states and around the world to honor and inspire extraordinary nurses.

At St. Mary's, each DAISY Award recipient is recognized at a public ceremony with their colleagues. They receive a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a stone sculpture entitled "A Healer's Touch" that is hand-carved by sculptors in Zimbabwe. In addition, they and their colleagues are invited to celebrate the occasion with cinnamon rolls, a treat Patrick would request – even though he couldn’t eat them – as a thank-you to the nurses caring for him.

Anyone can nominate a St. Mary's nurse for the DAISY Award, including patients, patients' family members, providers, and colleagues. Any nurse in the St. Mary's system is eligible, including those at all three hospitals as well as home health care/hospice services and medical group offices. The nomination simply asks you to share your story of why a nurse is special to you. St. Mary's honors eight nurses each year.

There are two ways you can nominate a St. Mary's nurse for the DAISY Award: Online or by phone.