Leaders and staff at North Fulton Hospital happily presented Linda Spruill, RN, with the DAISY Award for Nursing yesterday in a moving ceremony.  Spruill was selected for this honor following nominations submitted by patients.

            One such patient wrote:

“This was my first encounter at NFH, and although I’ve lived in Alpharetta for over 30 years, I was “amazed” at the professionalism, kindness & smoothness of the way your facility is run. Although everyone stood out as excellent, Linda spent the most time caring for me, explaining and reassuring me that I was going to be OK. Her kind demeanor, warm spirit and personality make her a “true-shining” nurse. Linda’s strong background in nursing was evident, and she gave me complete confidence that I was in the best of care, for I had multiple questions that she very patiently and accurately answered over and over again. Linda’s dedication to what she does day in and day out and her compassion to me as a very nervous patient was greatly appreciated! Linda really made me feel like I was very important to her, and I appreciate all she did for me.”

Spruill received her honor in a surprise ceremony.  As she casually walked down the stairs of the hospital Atrium (not paying attention to the crowd that had gathered in the area below) North Fulton CNO Stuart Downs announced her as the winner, shocking Spruill to tears.

            The ceremony that followed honored Linda for her dedication and her service, and for all that she does to ensure that each patient receives the best care possible.  Also in attendance for the ceremony were Mark and Bonnie Barnes, co-founders of the DAISY Foundation and parents of J. Patrick Barnes for whom the DAISY Foundation was established [information below].  Patrick’s wife Tena, another co-founder of the foundation, attended to celebration as well to honor Spruill.

            Last month [October] marked the kick-off of North Fulton Hospital’s DAISY Program.  Critical Care nurse Bob Hutcheson was the first individual to be selected for this prestigious honor.  One nomination letter read:

Bob has been very attentive to my wife’s needs. He has gone out of his way to accommodate my wife’s special needs (she was diagnosed with ALS over 4 years ago) and came up with out-of-the-box solutions to her care, educating us to the fullest. Bob is the type of employee that all institutions should be honored to have on staff.  He treated us with great compassion and made us feel like a member of his family.  We felt safe in his care and his professionalism was evident in everything he did for my wife.  Thanks for everything, Bob….you made a difference in our lives!           

Unlike Spruill, who was surprised in the main lobby area of the hospital, Hutcheson learned of his DAISY award while he was working on the unit.  NFH Director of Emergency Services Joan Birzes, along with many others, made her way to the ICU floor to present Hutcheson with the award.  As he stood merely steps away from the patients for whom he cares so attentively day after day, Birzes presented him with the DAISY pin, a very small gesture in comparison to Hutcheson’s daily acts for his patients.

North Fulton Hospital is proud to have nurses like Linda Spruill and Bob Hutcheson working in every area of the facility.  The hospital will continue to recognize these phenomenal nurses for the work that they do every day.

About the DAISY Foundation:

            The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes.  Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease.  The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

            Each month, a nurse will be selected to receive The DAISY Award from nominations received from patients, their families, physicians, and colleagues. The honoree will receive a certificate commending her or him for being an "Extraordinary Nurse."  The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people."  The honoree will also be given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

            The DAISY Award winning nurses will also enjoy tasty Cinnabon treats.  One day while Patrick was in the hospital, he asked his family to bring him a Cinnabon cinnamon roll plus enough for all the nurses in his unit.  With the help of Cinnabon’s parent company, FOCUS Brands, The DAISY Foundation carries on this tradition by serving Cinnabons to all the nurses in the Award recipient’s unit in thanks for everything they do for their patients and families.

            Also helping to further the mission of the DAISY Foundation is Kimberly Clarke, national provider of both medical and personal care products.  With Kimberly Clarke’s sponsorship of the program, the DAISY Foundation is able to continue along its path, providing not only funds but tissues to every DAISY winner (as tears often accompany the ceremonies

            If you would like to nominate a special nurse, please go to the North Fulton Hospital website at www.nfultonhospital.com and click on “Nursing at NFH” to download a nomination form. You may also contact the hospital at 770-751-2671.

# # #