Patrice Pniewski, RN, Named NFH DAISY Award Winning Nurse for September

            Leaders and staff at North Fulton Hospital happily presented Patrice Pniewski, RN, with the DAISY Award for Nursing in a ceremony on Friday. Pniewski was selected for this honor following nominations submitted by her patients and peers.

            A nurse on the Intensive Care Unit, Patrice Pniewski is a valued member of the nursing staff here at North Fulton.  Her dedication, compassion and leadership are evident to all who come into contact with her.

            One of her patient says “Patrice was one of our ICU nurses last week caring for my mother who had a tumor removed from her brain. The compassion and professionalism Patrice showed to the entire family as well as my mother went well beyond the call of duty. This wasn't just someone showing up for work and doing a good job. She genuinely cared for all of us and needs to be commended for her efforts. We considered ourselves fortunate to have Patrice there and believe she was instrumental in my mother’s positive mindset that aided in her quick recovery from the surgery. I would recommend your hospital to everyone just because of Patrice.

Thank you so much, Patrice. You’re heaven-sent!”

            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 Pniewski for the month of September. She is a valued nurse on the Unit at North Fulton Hospital.

            North Fulton Hospital is proud to have nurses like Patrice Pniewski working in every area of the facility. The care they provide goes beyond what is expected. 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.

            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.

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).  

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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.