St. Mary's home health nurse Lorrie Gladden receives DAISY Award

Lorrie Gladden, a registered nurse with St. Mary’s Home Health Care/Hospice/Palliative Care Services, has received St. Mary’s systemwide DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence.

Gladden was nominated for the award by a patient who was touched by her compassion, skill, and eagerness to know him as a person, not just a case.

“When you are bed-ridden for weeks and weeks, especially during a pandemic, the loneliness of being so isolated and inactive is very real,” the patient writes in Gladden's nomination. “Lorrie has been a welcome optimist during this time, a bright spot three times per week thanks to her cheerful disposition and genuine care for me as a human being.

“Lorrie demonstrates compassionate care by taking a sincere interest in my hobbies, getting to know my family, and asking questions about the latest book I’m reading,” the patient states. “She connects with me as a person, all the while providing exceptionally thorough care. I can always count on Lorrie to make sure the complexities of my care are handled.”

“Lorrie is a tremendous nurse and a valued member of our home health care team,” said Nicole Woods, RN, BSN, manager of patient care services. "As her nominator said, she is compassionate, knowledgeable, skillful, and a proactive problem solver. We are so proud to have her on our team.”

Gladden is a resident of Oconee County who joined St. Mary’s Home Health Care Services in October 2020. She provides care to patients in their homes primarily in Greene, Morgan and Oconee counties.

“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 Lorrie 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 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.

Nominate a St. Mary's nurse for the DAISY Award

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.