Mercy South Announces DAISY Award Winners

The DAISY Award is an international program to honor and celebrate nurses who provide extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care every day. The DAISY Foundation established the award in memory of Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 from complications of an auto-immune disease. The care he and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired the award.

October 2021

Erica Morse, RN, earned the DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate care she provides at Hyland Behavioral Health at Mercy Hospital South.

A co-worker nominated Morse by writing: "Erica was caring for a patient who had a court hearing to determine if he would be appointed a state guardian due to his mental illness. During her conversation with the patient, she became aware that the patient had never met the attorney that would be representing him, and that the patient was unaware of his right to attend the hearing. She went above and beyond and contacted both the patient's mother and attorney to set up a meeting with the patient to discuss the court hearing. Erica displayed great advocacy for her patient and deserves recognition. She is an amazing nurse who genuinely cares for her patients. It was an honor to witness her care and compassion. I consider myself lucky to work with such an amazing nurse."

September 2021

Logan McDanel, RN, earning the DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care he provides in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).

A patient's child nominated McDanel by writing: "Logan is an exceptional nurse and Mercy co-worker. My dad was hospitalized with pancreatitis, and when things took a turn for the worse, Logan took unsurpassable care of dad and my family. As he got to know dad and our family, he did an excellent job explaining it to all of us; he really went above and beyond when he wrote out a flow chart with illustrations explaining the anatomy and physiology for my brother, who is an engineer, in a way that an engineer thinks and works. All in all, Logan has been a light in this dark time for my family with his sense of humor, diligence, therapeutic communication, and his knowledge of our dad's condition. As a nursing student, I look up to Logan and strive to be as good a nurse as he is once I am out in my career field. We look forward to seeing him and feel relieved when we know he is working. We could not ask for a better nurse! Logan will always hold a special place in our hearts!"

Logan McDanel, RN, earned the DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care he provides in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).

August 2021

Candace LaPlant, RN, earned the DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care she provides on the 7^th floor (medical unit) of Mercy Hospital South.

LaPlant's co-worker, Shannon Capriglione, nominated LaPlant by writing: "Recently, we had a patient on our floor who was COVID positive and nearing the end of her life. The patient had two sons who were very involved in her care. During the week, one of her sons had trouble processing the decline of his mother and was, as you can imagine, visibly upset at times. We knew she was close to passing one day and even more so into the night. The nurse caring for the patient, Candace, notified the son, and he wanted to come say his final goodbyes to his mother. They were worried since he did have a 45-minute drive that he would not make it on time, but thankfully, he was able to make it here to spend those last few precious moments with his mother. He expressed to Candace that he did not want to be there when she took her final breath but also did not want her to be alone. Candace took this upon herself and spent the next 20 minutes in the room holding the patient's hand until she passed. Candace was able to honor the son's wish and provided comfort to her patient at the end of her life. One nurse overheard Candace on the phone with the patient's son and described her being 'so compassionate and caring.' The team also pulled together to send this family a sympathy card with the patient's fingerprint."

Candace LaPlant, RN, earned the DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care she provides on the 7th floor (medical unit) of Mercy Hospital South.

June 2021

Gwynne Roderick, RN, 7^th floor medical unit, earned the DAISY Award for extraordinary, compassionate nursing care.

A co-worker nominated Roderick by writing: "Gwynne is super sweet and kind. As a float nurse, I never feel like I have a 'home,' but she makes me feel comfortable and welcome to the floor every time. She's a wonderful charge nurse, and I'm never afraid to ask for help or ask questions. She is the embodiment of what Mercy stands for as she is compassionate and kind. I'm very thankful for her. I just wanted to say, 'Thank you!' You are an extraordinary nurse and person."

Gwynne Roderick, RN, earned the DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care so provides on the 7th floor medical unit.

May 2021

Chad Davis, RN, Medical Stepdown, earned the DAISY Award for extraordinary, compassionate nursing care.

A patient's wife nominated Davis by writing: "Chad was so tender and caring for me when my husband was taken to Mercy due to COVID. His children are on the east coast, and when I had to notify them that their father's prognosis was dire, Chad delivered the information with dignity and respect. Chad helped us call him using his own number to tell him how we loved him and each of us was able to sing one of his favorite songs. Chad helped us achieve a bit of closure. Not being able to be with him was unbearable for us all. We all want to express our gratitude to Chad for his understanding in this moment of our grief. He helped us so much. We love and respect Chad for delivering such caring nursing skills for my husband and those of us that loved him so much."

Chad Davis, RN, Medical Stepdown, earned the DAISY Award for the extraordinary, compassionate and skillful nursing care he provides.

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