Springfield DAISY Award honorees: March 2021

Each quarter, CoxHealth recognizes nurses who have provided outstanding care with DAISY Awards. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is presented in medical facilities throughout the United States to recognize the education, training, skill and compassionate care nurses provide. Patients, their friends and families, co-workers, physicians and volunteers may nominate a nurse for the award.

Here are the most recent Springfield honorees:

Clarissa Swearingen, Emergency Department North

A colleague nominated Clarissa for the care she showed to a patient.

Her colleague wrote: "We have a patient who came from home where she lives with her mother. Due to some learning disabilities, she is unable to properly take care of her mother or herself.

This patient has been in our ED for over a week awaiting a guardianship hearing. She has a colostomy and did not know how to properly care for it, so she came in covered in fecal matter. Clarissa went and bought the patient some pajamas, jeans, tops, sweat suits, blankets, snacks and sodas. She also bought her some crayons and coloring books, as well as brought in some Disney movies and her own personal computer to keep the patient entertained.

Clarissa shows amazing compassion by going and spending time with the patient. Just this morning, Clarissa went in and made sure the patient had a shower and put on some of the new clothes. The patient was so proud of herself.

Clarissa has gone over the top to give this lady a feeling of comfort and safety while she waits for her guardianship hearing. The patient didn't ask for any of this, Clarissa just saw her needs and provided for her. Clarissa went above and beyond and I am grateful to work with someone this thoughtful and kind to those who have no voice."

Mary Brown, Ambulatory Infusion Center

A patient nominated Mary for her advocacy in helping her get a medication changed.

"Mary Brown is an absolute godsend! She is really an amazing individual!" the patient wrote.

"I have had numerous issues regarding my blood pressure and tachycardia medication. When Mary was taking my vitals, I made a comment to her about how I was unable to afford one of my prescriptions because my doctor would not switch it to one covered by my insurance.

"After my appointment with Mary, I arrived home to a phone call from my doctor's office informing me that my doctor had changed my prescription to one covered by my insurance and had sent it to my pharmacy. I was shocked that this happened out of the blue!

"I found out Mary had sent a message to my doctor about her concerns over my vital signs and the issue with my medication. Mary, thank you so much!"

Rachel Poling, 800/JNC Neuro-Ortho

Rachel was nominated by her colleagues on her unit. Even in a pandemic when there is no shortage of hospital staff going above and beyond for their patients, her compassion for one patient stands out.

"Rachel's patient was involved in a major vehicle crash, and is now quadriplegic with a small amount of gross movement in his arms and upper body. It can be very difficult to get a patient motivated when they are dealing with this kind of injury.

"Nevertheless, whenever this patient is under Rachel's care, she will start his morning by making a plan for the day, including setting a new goal to accomplish. She even has a routine of opening up the curtains to let the sunshine in at a certain time of the morning so he does not sleep the day away.

"The patient is around 30 years old and unfortunately has already lost his mother. Rachel has stepped into the role of this patient's mother. She encourages him and supports him. She pushes him to do therapy and work on his gross movement whenever he can. Along with another nurse on our floor, Rachel purchased and decorated a Christmas tree for his room. She then worked with him to make ornaments to encourage the use of his fingers. She is constantly doing things to lift his spirits. She truly goes above and beyond for him.

"The patient has been through countless tests, procedures, etc., during the past months in the hospital. Understandably, due to his injury and lengthy hospitalization, he has difficulty keeping his morale up. Rachel seems to know exactly what to do and say to get him to shift his focus to his daily goals for recovery. She has created such an amazing bond with this patient.

"With everything that is going on in the world right now (and even just in our hospital), it can be incredibly difficult for staff to stay positive for themselves let alone their patients. Rachel seems to have mastered this ability and remains continuously focused on caring for all of her patients. We are incredibly blessed to have Rachel on our team on the 8th Floor. She is amazing and a credit to her profession as a nurse."