Kaitlin Thomas, RN, Named NFH DAISY Award Winning Nurse for May
Leaders and staff at North Fulton Hospital happily presented Kaitlin Thomas, RN, with the DAISY Award for Nursing on Friday, May 27, in a moving ceremony. Thomas was selected for this honor following nominations submitted by her patients.
A resident with the Versant program Kaitlin Thomas is originally from Pensacola. She and her husband move here for this position with North Fulton Hospital. Her supervisors and peers know her well as a nurse dedicated to helping families feel comfortable, carefully explaining to them the diagnosis and treatment plans for their loved ones.
“Kaitlin always stays over to help and consistently goes above and beyond to do whatever necessary to ensure smooth unit operations,” said Cindy Bhatia, Director of Surgical Nursing at North Fulton Hospital. “She is always so positive and never complains. Kaitlin is truly a team player and a valued member of my staff.”
Each month since October 2010, North Fulton Hospital has honored outstanding nurses who consistently and without fail go above and beyond what is expected of them. NFH is happy to honor Thomas for the month of May. She is a valued nurse on the Unit at North Fulton Hospital.
One patient wrote:
When I read the information and history regarding the Daisy Award as to what nursing excellence is, clearly Kaitlin fits the definition. I had the privilege to receive her care the two mornings I was there. In fact, it didn’t even feel like “care.” Kaitlin felt to me as if she was there as a member of my family. She was there to support me but with a nurse’s uniform on. Everything Kaitlin did felt natural -- it’s her “calling.” Kaitlin is meant-to-be a nurse. Compassion was evident in everything she did for me. She hugged me when I needed a hug, she supported me when I needed my hand held, and was right there for me when I needed to use the facilities and more. Because of Kaitlin’s personal experience with my procedure, her advice, care and expertise to me was invaluable! I later learned that Kaitlin had the same procedure as I did, so she knew if what I was experiencing (literally) was normal or not. Most importantly Kaitlin provided me and my family with information, personal and professional, as to what we could expect when we got home, so there were no surprises. Knowing what to eat and not to eat, what to drink and not drink, easier ways to take my medication, etc. made my recovery easier rather than scarier. She truly calmed my fears.
Another time I truly thought Kaitlin was a saint was during two occasions during my short stay. One, I was asked to swallow a pill, and unfortunately it got stuck. My body’s reaction was to vomit and instantly Kaitlin was there -- almost like she just appeared -- to rub my back and hold my head up (since my procedure required to keep my head level) and provide kind words. What a nurse! Another instance, shortly after waking up from my procedure, for some reason I was afraid to fall asleep to get additional rest. Kaitlin recognized my anxiety without me telling her about it, and she took it upon herself to ask my permission to call my doctor for something to calm my nerves and help me get the sleep my body needed. With physician approval, she gave me the appropriate medication and was kind enough to stay with me until I fell asleep -- when I knew that she didn’t have to. I truly appreciate that Kaitlin recognized my fear and acted on my behalf during this time, without being asked!
I believe that Kaitlin deserves this award, and feel that not only was I lucky to receive her care, but North Fulton Hospital is really lucky to have such a nurse of her caliber on staff. Thank you, Kaitlin, for all that you do. You are truly one special person who knows the needs of her patients and you provide nursing care with ease, kindness, and the utmost respect.
NFH Chief Nursing Officer Stuart Downs presented Thomas with the DAISY Award. The ceremony that followed honored her for her dedication and her service, and for all that she does to ensure that each patient, such as the patient described above, receives the best care possible.
North Fulton Hospital is proud to have nurses like Kaitlin Thomas working in every area of the facility. The care they provide goes beyond what is expected in a hospital setting. Instead of simply treating patients for their physical needs, these nurses treat their patients as if they were their own family members, tending to their mental and emotional needs as well. 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.
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North Fulton Hospital (NFH), part of Tenet Georgia, is a 202-bed, acute-care hospital located on Highway 9, Alpharetta Highway, in Roswell. Opened in 1983, NFH serves North Fulton and surrounding counties through its team of over 1000 employees, 400 staff physicians and 200 volunteers. NFH is a state-designated Level II trauma center and provides a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, women’s health services, orthopedics, rehabilitation, surgical services, gastroenterology and oncology. The hospital is fully accredited and also is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.