Greene County Medical Center celebrated Hospital and Nurses Week May 10 with two special award ceremonies, one for nursing support team members and one for nurses from the medical center, the Family Medicine Clinic and Greene County Public Health.
“It is fitting that this ceremony is held during this special week,” said medical center CEO Chad Butterfield. “It is a way for us to shine a spotlight on the commitment, dedication, compassion and care our entire staff exhibits every day. Everything the nominees for the Partner of Nursing and DAISY Awards do exemplifies our service mission and our vision to be Always Here, Always Caring.”
The ceremony opened with the Partner of Nursing Awards. This program was initiated in 2020 by the nursing staff to celebrate and honor those individuals who collaborate with them in the goal of creating the best possible outcomes for patients and their families.
Director of nursing Jess Steinberg and nurses from all three medical center organizations introduced the nominees for the Partner of Nursing Award: Tammy Andre, an Acute and ED patient care technician; Anne Carstens and Judy Murphy, Public Health clerks; Jamie McDonald, enhanced referral team prior authorization supervisor; Sara Miller, a Public Health social worker; Deana Shriver, a revenue cycle patient access representative; and Phyllis Woodley, support member for HOPES families.
“Without our Partners of Nursing, we would not be able to give patients the gold standard of care they deserve,” Steinberg said before introducing the 2023 Partner of Nursing, Tammy Andre. In Andre’s nomination, a colleague wrote, “She is always one step ahead of us. She acts before it is even asked of her. Tam is no stranger to rapid responses and codes and her strength and knowledge are often relied on in critical times. She consistently has the best interests of our patients and families at heart.”
The DAISY Award program followed, with 12 nurses nominated for their outstanding efforts to ensure every patient and their families receives care beyond their expectations. Diana Smith, a doctor of nursing practice in the Family Medicine and cosmetic clinics welcomed attendees and congratulated all nominees. Interim chief nursing officer Ann Erickson and other members of the Greene County Medical Center executive team read from the nominations submitted for Erin Ackerson, Stacey Biggart, Noelle Clouse, Matt Gordon, Macie Hagen, Deb Hoskins, Janey McCabe, Teresa Morlan, Terry Rottinghaus, Dan Scheuermann, Abby Skoglund and Chelsie Thompson.
All nominations brought to light many touching stories of how the work these nurses do impacts patients and their families, from staying after their shift ends, supporting injured and frightened patients, to being credited with saving lives because of their quick thinking, attentiveness and expertise.
There were many tears shed by attendees as Erickson read from the DAISY Award winner’s nomination letter. “Compassionate, kind, commendable, calm, respectful and caring are just some of the words used to describe Terry [Rottinghaus]. She gave an amazing gift to a local family who was dealing with a wedding and a recent terminal diagnosis for the father of the bride. The family moved the wedding date up so the father could participate in all aspects of the day, and Terry didn’t hesitate for a moment. She volunteered to be there, on her own time, to help care for this patient, which allowed him the honor of walking his daughter down the aisle. She took time from her own family and life to be there, and she wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
All nominees were presented with flowers and certificates of recognition along with a pin for DAISY nominees. In addition, Andre and Rottinghaus received specially designed statuettes and Rottinghaus will be listed in the International DAISY registry.
Persons who want more information about nominating a nurse for the DAISY Award can log on to gcmchealth.com and search DAISY.
