Miller, Smeltz recognized by Hampden Medical Center in touching DAISY Award ceremony
Hampden Medical Center presented the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award to two Women and Babies nurses who provided special care to a mother who lost her baby. Christy Miller and Kelly Smeltz, both registered nurses on the Women’s Health unit, provided care to the patient through a traumatic time and helped her begin a journey to healing.
The hospital presents the award, which recognizes nurses for their skillful, compassionate care and their daily support of patients and families, four times a year.
The mother nominated Miller and Smeltz through a heartfelt letter that Regional Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Leslynn Williamson read to the award recipients and their team. “These two nurses are exactly what is needed in a hospital, and definitely when times are bad,” the patient wrote. “I wish them the best. Even though I am so hurt, the acts of kindness and lovingness started to make me feel a little better. I want to thank them a million times. I am grateful to have had them as my nurses.”
She said that Miller helped her with everything she needed in the days after she lost her child. “She even took pictures of the baby and printed them for me. She made me a basket and a care package. She even sat and let me cry on her shoulder as many times as I needed. She went above and beyond for me at the beginning of my healing process.”
When Miller was off, Smeltz took over care for the mother. In the letter, the patient said, “She was awesome also. She had experienced what I had been through and guided me in the right direction to recovery. She told me her story, prayed for me and she even helped me mail off the documents for the birth certificate.”
When the patient returned for a follow-up care visit, both nurses stopped to check on her and gave her flowers.
The DAISY Award was created in memory of Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. The DAISY Foundation was established by his family to keep his spirit alive. Its primary mission is to express gratitude to nurses for the work they do for patients and their families every day.
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