Ana Hermes, R.N., has been recognized as the July 2018 DAISY Award Winner for FirstHealth of the Carolinas.
Hermes is a nurse at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst and currently works on the cardiovascular (2CV) unit.
She was nominated by a patient’s husband who, in the nomination, said, “She cares so very deeply about her patients and shows it in every aspect of her work more than any nurse who had helped my wife. She never stops helping and improving the welfare of the patient and the patient’s family.
“Most nurses have caring hearts, but some have that extra special concern for their patients that shows genuine love for each and every one of them and their families. It shows in the little things she does above and beyond what others do.
“She doesn’t leave each patient until the patient is comfortable. She doesn’t just ask if there is anything else she can do. She looks with a practiced eye and anticipates things a sick patient may forget to mention, leaving the patient wondering when the next round will be to ask for something as basic as a pitcher of cool water that may be empty.
“She makes absolutely certain everyone follows universal health precautions and explains the importance to family members. She communicates in a friendly manner, and leaves a patient and family reassured by her presence and explanations about care that may not have been understood or conveyed due to pressures of the day or changes since the last round of doctors.
“She is truly an extension of the doctor, and listens well to patient concerns. If a patient needs sleep to heal, and blood pressure or labs truly are not needed until later in the morning, she ensures the patient isn’t bothered for the convenience of a lab draw, or an unnecessary blood pressure.
“She makes sure lights are kept low and computer screens in the room are not providing too much light, and checks to see if the temperature is comfortable, and that family members remaining overnight are provided needed items. She was doubly thorough on administration of complex medications for my wife.
“She is a leader too, and sets the example for other nurses. When others might be unintentionally or unwittingly noisy at night, she ensures quiet reigns for the sake of the patients. Ana doesn’t stop with the minimums; she does the maximum to help ALL her patients.
“One person can really make a big difference in preserving a life and helping with that extra care that is needed so much, even with a family member present at all times. Ana was that person. Ana is MORE than deserving of special recognition with the DAISY Award. She is a diamond among jewels.”
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses was established by the Daisy Foundation, a not-for-profit, based in Glen Ellen, Calif. The foundation was started by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease.
The care Barnes and his family received from nurses inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patients’ families. Today, there are more than 2,800 health care facilities in all 50 states and 17 other countries honoring their nurses with the DAISY Award.
FirstHealth of the Carolinas, which includes Moore Regional Hospital, Moore Regional Hospital – Richmond, Moore Regional Hospital – Hoke and Montgomery Memorial Hospital, recognizes an extraordinary nurse each month, and has since 2014.
For more information on the DAISY Award, or to nominate a deserving nurse, visit www.firsthealth.org/daisy.
Feature photo: Ana Hermes, R.N., has been recognized as the July 2018 DAISY Award Winner for FirstHealth of the Carolinas. Hermes (in blue, holding award) is pictured with (from left to right): Roger Noble, director of cardiovascular services; Lisa Stein, R.N., clinical director of 2CV; John Vann (patient’s husband); Karen Robeano, DNP, R.N., chief nursing officer at FirstHealth; and Deana Kearns, MSN, R.N., administrative director of corporate education and professional development.
