Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital (SLCH) has partnered with The DAISY Foundation in a mission to recognize extraordinary, compassionate nurses and the care they provide to patients and families every day. DAISY is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system.
Cheryl McGrath, RN, med-surg specialist on the acute care unit, is the recipient of this year’s DAISY Award at SLCH.
McGrath was nominated by Drew Abernathy and two other anonymous individuals for her compassion toward patients and coworkers.
“Cheryl treats every patient with love and compassion, as if they are her own family,” said Abernathy. “She offers non-judgmental and exceptional care, something we all strive to do. Cheryl is a wonderful example of what a nurse should be.”
“Cheryl is full of knowledge and wisdom,” said one of her nominators. “She is always calm, kind and helpful. Her calming demeanor is always reassuring in a stressful situation.”
“Cheryl taught me how to manage my patients with a smile, even when they are being difficult,” said her third nominator. “She is a patient and supportive teacher with a happy-go-lucky attitude that is contagious.”
A ceremony was held on Nov. 18 to honor McGrath and the PRIDE she shows in her work. She was presented with a certificate and a beautiful Healer’s Touch statue created by an artist in Zimbabwe, which symbolizes the relationship between nurses, patients and families.
“I am so grateful for this recognition, but this job is a team sport,” said McGrath. “I am surrounded and supported by a fabulous staff at SLCH, so I will proudly represent our department this year as the recipient of this lovely award.”
McGrath has been with Samaritan since 2000 and earned her med-surg specialist certification in 2005. She decided to pursue a nursing career after her own extended hospital stay and experiencing the difference in care among nurses. Those who provided compassionate care made her want to do the same for others.
The DAISY Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura autoimmune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
To learn more about The DAISY Award, visit http://DAISYfoundation.org.