Liberty-Dayton Regional Medical Center (LDRMC) on Tuesday, May 6, celebrated its nursing staff with the presentation of the DAISY Award, a prestigious international recognition for excellence in nursing. This year’s award ceremony honored five outstanding nurses nominated for their extraordinary care and compassion.
Presenting the award were Dana Arthur and Joyce Debarge, both RNs and Patient Callback representatives at LDRMC, and longtime employees of the hospital.
“We’re very excited about this program,” said Arthur. “Our nominees should be very proud. This award is very prestigious.”
Arthur explained that the DAISY Award—an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System—was created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away from ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura). Deeply moved by the compassionate care Barnes received, his family established the award to honor nurses around the world. The program now recognizes exceptional nursing care at thousands of healthcare facilities globally.
“This is an ongoing recognition program that celebrates the skillful and compassionate care that nurses give every day,” Arthur said. “Nominees are chosen by patients, families, and peers, and selected by a committee of their fellow nurses.”
Jennifer Marquis, this year’s recipient, was nominated by a grateful patient for the care she provided to both a child and parent during a difficult time.
“Jennifer treated not only my daughter but me as well with such kindness, patience, and dignity. She took the time to explain every procedure and update us regularly, never making us feel like a burden even when we had endless questions. Her calm presence and gentle words brought comfort during an incredibly painful time for my daughter… What truly stood out was how Jennifer went above and beyond to make sure my daughter felt seen and heard, even when she was in too much pain to speak for herself. Jennifer’s care went beyond the clinical experience. Excellence. She gave us the gift of peace and comfort when we were in a state of worry. She exemplifies what it means to be a nurse and we will never forget her kindness,” the letter read.
Other nominees were also praised for their dedication and compassion:
- Patricia Edgell was recognized for her attentiveness and professionalism: “She went above and beyond to take care of me. Patricia made sure I was completely comfortable as well as relaying to me what medicine I was receiving and what it was for. I am so thankful for all she did to help in my recovery.”
- Brooke Morgan received praise from a colleague who is also a patient: “She has been my nurse several times that I’ve been seen at Liberty-Dayton Regional Medical Center. Every time I have been seen she is sweet and caring. I also work at the hospital and get to see how all the nurses treat the patients and co-workers. Brooke is like that with every patient and co-worker.”
- Melissa Perkins was nominated for her communication efforts with a deaf and nearly blind patient: “She worked out a way to sign into the patient’s hand and spell out needs. Having somebody who is deaf and nearly blind is a challenge for translation, but Melissa stayed late even after her shift ended to help accommodate needs for the patient.”
- Megan Copeland was commended for her kindness during a difficult ER visit: “On December 24, I came to the emergency room. I was so very sick with vomiting, I could hardly stand. Megan Copeland, a nurse working that night, was so kind and sweet. She was graciously cleaning up after me, reassuring me that all was okay. She stated this was her job and this is what nurses do. She took such good care of me and made me feel so much better with her care and kindness.”
Before announcing the winner, Dana Arthur shared her pride in the LDRMC staff: “We have such a great hospital. It is such a need in this community, and we know our community realizes that.”
Chief Nursing Officer Cindy Griffin then stepped forward to reflect on the nominees and announce the winner.
“I have worked with her for many years. I’ve been her peer, I’ve been her boss, I’ve been her leader. She’s actually been my preceptor at one time and another,” said Griffin. “I have watched her grow from an LVN to an RN. She is truly extraordinary.”
Griffin continued, “I’m not surprised to see the faces of our nominees here today. You are all incredible. And as it is National Nurses Week, I want to say how proud I am of every single one of our nurses.”
She then announced: “Our first DAISY Award winner – Jennifer Marquis.”
Marquis, visibly emotional, accepted the award surrounded by family and colleagues. Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “This is what I’ve always wanted to do — to take care of others, and I will continue until the day that I die. And now my daughter, Edith, wants to follow in my footsteps, too. She wants to be a nurse. My mom was a nurse for 57 years. We have a family of nurses. We just love to take care of people.”