Angie Davenport has been honored with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Davenport is a med surge nurse at River Park Hospital where she has worked for two years.
The person who nominated Davenport for the award said, “I feel she is excellent on every job she performs. She is someone I would want to take care of my loved ones. To me, she stands above the rest.”
The Daisy Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died of complications from an auto-immune disease at the age of 33. During Barnes’ eight-week hospitalization, his family was moved by the care and compassion his nurses provided not only to him but to his family. They created a foundation in his memory to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of people they come in contact with each day.
Several nominees were awarded Daisy pins. Among those nominated were nurses Kay Childers, April Fernandez, Kay Grandstaff, Jennie King, Caitlin Killian, Joshua Pepper, Melissa Scissom, Tammy Smith and Sandra Witt.
Davenport was also awarded a certificate and a hand-carved stone sculpture entitled “A Healer’s Touch.” The sculpture is hand carved by an African sculptor of the Shona Tribe of Zimbabwe. To the traditional people of Africa, the nganga, or village shaman, is believed to have the power to heal those who are physically ill, those suffering misfortune, or those who are spiritually weak. The sculpture depicts two individuals united, perhaps the healer and the patient.
A larger version of the sculpture stands in the lobby of River Park Hospital, near the ground floor elevators.
Tish Moran, acting chief nursing officer at River Park, said, “The kind of work the nurses at River Park Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the Daisy Award. We are proud to be among the hospitals participating in the Daisy Award program. Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important our nurses know their work is highly valued and The Daisy Foundation provides a way for us to do that.”
Amy Yates also received special recognition with the Sunshine Award. The Sunshine Award is given go a non-clinical employee who provides support to the nursing staff. Yates has worked in the dietary department of River Park for 11 months.