St. Mary's Emergency Department Nurse Candi Jarvis Receives DAISY Award
January 25, 2022Candi Jarvis, a registered nurse with St. Mary’s Emergency Department, has received St. Mary’s systemwide DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence.
Candi poses with her nominator, Les Rothrock, after receiving St. Mary's DAISY Award
Jarvis was nominated by St. Mary’s Performance Improvement Coordinator Les Rothrock, a 20-year veteran of nursing who got to see her in action on Oct. 27 when his wife was rushed to St. Mary’s with symptoms of a stroke.
“I received a call that she was in the emergency department,” Rothrock wrote in Jarvis’ nomination. “As you can imagine, this was a very stressful situation. My wife, Emely, and her nephew, who accompanied her to the hospital, were very impressed with Candi’s calm yet professional demeanor. And Candi explained in detail what had happened and assured me that she would keep me posted on any changes in her condition.”
The news was good for the Rothrock’s family: Testing indicated Emely had suffered a complex migraine. The intense headache had mimicked the signs of a dangerous hemorrhagic stroke, but had left no lasting harm. As Rothrock drove up to the door to take his wife home, Jarvis made a positive impression again.
“There was a car in front of mine with an older gentleman and his wife. Candi did not hesitate to jump in and assist them as well,” Rothrock wrote. “Candi displays such a selfless concern and passion in action and voice. It feels so good to see what effect passion in words and action can have and the peace it can bring when your world turns upside down.”
“Our whole Emergency Department team is outstanding, but Candi is especially deserving of this honor,” said Emergency Department Director John Reeck. “The compassion she shows to patients and their families, her situational awareness, and her passion to provide great care are exceptional. I’m so glad she is part of our team.”
Jarvis is a resident of Elbert County who joined St. Mary’s in July 2020. She and her husband, Shannon Jarvis, have two daughters, Emma Grace, 17, and Tori, 15.
“Receiving the DAISY Award is something that a nurse can take with them for their entire career,” said Ann Gomes, director of Orthopedics and chair of St. Mary's DAISY Award Committee. “It’s special for every nurse who receives it. We are proud of all our nurses, but especially proud of Candi and all of our DAISY Award recipients.”
About the DAISY Award
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide day-in and day-out. It is inspired by 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 some 4,800 hospitals and schools in all 50 states and 29 nations to honor and inspire extraordinary nurses. Learn more about the DAISY Award at www.daisyfoundation.org
At St. Mary's, each DAISY Award recipient is recognized at a COVID-safe 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 In Africa. In addition, they and their colleagues are invited to celebrate the occasion with cinnamon rolls, one of Patrick's favorite treats.
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:
- Visit St. Mary's DAISY Award webpage
- Contact Melissa McDaniel, Marketing Administrative Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator, at (706) 389-3890, option 3.