Catawba Valley Medical Center is proud to announce this quarter’s
DAISY Award Recipient. The DAISY Award is designed to recognize exceptional
nursing care. Join us in congratulating Elly Thomas, who serves as a nurse
in our Critical Care Department.
Elly’s nomination included an account of how comforting, engaging
and genuine she is. Read her full nomination below:
"I have the privilege of nominating someone for the DAISY Award as
a CVHS employee as well as the spouse of a recent patient. If there were
a photo of what it means to embody the DAISY Award, it would be Elly Thomas,
RN, in the Critical Care Unit.
At a particularly dark and scary time when my wife was plummeting badly
in the CCU, Elly was a rock. Despite the chaos around her she not only
expertly and efficiently completed every task needed as my wife's
nurse, she was comforting and engaging, patiently answering all questions
with an outstanding attitude. Simply put, she has "it."
At one point during the worst moments - as Ellie was steadily tending to
her bedside duties - my wife mustered up the strength to ask, "I'm
not going to die am I?" And in her pigtails and with a calm voice,
Elly looked reassuringly at my wife and said, "Not on my watch."
(It's emotional all these weeks later to still recall that moment.)
Another favorite memory was when we were awaiting a crucial CT Scan result,
which would determine next courses of action, including perhaps emergency
surgery. It was nerve-wracking waiting on those results. So when the patient
room door slid open, it was Elly who threw open the curtains and exclaimed,
"Great news! Your CT Scan looks better!" And the thing is, Elly
seemed as genuinely excited as we were to hear that.
To choose to care for people when they are their worst is nothing short
of a God-given calling. Elly and her colleagues are tending to patients
who are in the most difficult situations, often fighting for their lives.
To watch Elly perform with such grace and decency and kindness was something
to behold.
Not a day goes by when my wife doesn't mention our stay in the CCU,
and Elly in particular. My wife has often repeated, "Are you going
to do something to recognize Elly?" I assured her I would, and I
hope this nomination for the DAISY Award is that something."
The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes
after he died of complications of the auto-immune disease ITP in 1999.
During his hospitalization, they deeply appreciated the care and compassion
shown to Patrick and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled
to say “thank you” to nurses in a very public way. The award
is given in numerous countries around the world. To learn more, visit
DAISYFoundation.org.
If you would like to nominate someone to receive the DAISY Award, visit
CatawbaValleyHealth.org/DAISY.