FirstHealth of the Carolinas nurse Jennifer Downing, BSN, R.N. IV, CMSRN, has been recognized with the DAISY Award. Downing, who works on 4 Medical at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, was nominated by a coworker who Downing helped train.
“From the first day I met Jennifer, her knowledge and charisma empowered me. Jennifer was assigned to be my nursing preceptor and I could not be more thankful,” Madison Bullins, R.N., wrote in her nomination letter. “From our first shift together, she took me under her wing and made me feel as if I had known her my whole life. Jennifer taught me to be a great patient advocate, and she always ensures that the patient is first no matter the situation. “
Bullins also mentioned Downing’s ability to assist other nurses in the unit and always approach her coworkers the same way she treats her patients.
“Jennifer starts her morning off with a smile and ends the day with one. She shows her patients love, respect and compassion. She is humble and always hungry to learn. We are all lucky to work with her,” Bullins said.
Tammy Smith, MSN, R.N., CMSRN, Downing’s manager on 4 Medical, said Downing is funny, kind, organized and committed to helping patients and co-workers.
“Jennifer is not only attentive to the needs of our patients but also attentive to the needs of her co-workers. Jennifer is an amazing mentor,” Smith said. “She is committed to the success of others and strives to make the work environment a fun, safe and welcoming place for all new employees. She is an excellent resource.”
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 FirstHealth’s website.
Pictured (left to right): Berni Szczepanski, Chief People Officer, Genteal Pelzer, MHA, BSN, R.N., NE-BC, associate nurse executive, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Tammy Smith, MSN, R.N., CMSRN, nurse manager on 4 Medical, Jennifer Downing, BSN, R.N. IV, CMSRN, Deana Kearns, MSN, R.N., NPD-BC, administrative director, corporate education and professional development, Jacklynn Lesniak, DNP, M.S., R.N., NEA-BC, chief nursing officer and vice president, patient care services.
Courtesy photo/Contributed.
