St. Mary's 5th Floor staff nurse Rachel Hanauer receives DAISY Award
April 27, 2023Rachel Hanauer, a registered nurse who provides care to patients on the 5th Floor Surgical and Rehabilitation Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital, has received St. Mary’s systemwide DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence.
Rachel was nominated by one of her colleagues for going above and beyond expectations for one of her patients. Rachel noticed the patient had begun showing troubling signs and might need an immediate surgical intervention. She elevated her concerns, but the attending physician was not convinced. Rachel redoubled her efforts. In the end, her persistence changed the physician’s mind and the patient was referred to surgery. The procedure confirmed Rachel’s insights and saved the patient’s life.
“In some ways, this is a difficult story to tell because we must safeguard the patient’s identity and protected health information,” said Demita Bennett, director of St. Mary’s 5th Floor Surgical and Rehabilitation Unit. “But Rachel’s colleagues saw her nursing skills in action and that she had the courage, respect and reverence to handle the situation beautifully. This is the kind of thing she does all the time. She always goes the extra mile for her patients.”
“We are extremely proud of Rachel and all of our DAISY Award recipients,” said Ann Gomes, St. Mary’s director of orthopedics and DAISY Award Committee coordinator. “This award demonstrates the vital role nurses play not only as care providers but as the smart, highly skilled bedside eyes and ears of our medical staff. Congratulations, Rachel!”
Rachel, an Athens resident for whom nursing is a second career, joined the St. Mary’s team in September 2021.
About the DAISY Award
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide day-in and day-out. It was created in gratitude for the nurses who provided care to Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old husband and father who lost his fight against a deadly autoimmune disease in 1999. His family created the DAISY Foundation, which now partners with more than 5,000 hospitals and schools in all 50 states and around the world to honor and inspire extraordinary nurses.
At St. Mary's, each DAISY Award recipient is recognized at a public ceremony with their colleagues. They receive a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a stone sculpture entitled "A Healer's Touch" that is hand-carved by sculptors in Zimbabwe. In addition, they and their colleagues are invited to celebrate the occasion with cinnamon rolls, a treat Patrick would request – even though he couldn’t eat them – as a thank-you to the nurses caring for him.
Anyone can nominate a St. Mary's nurse for the DAISY Award, including patients, patients' family members, providers, and colleagues. Any nurse in the St. Mary's system is eligible, including those at all three hospitals as well as home health care/hospice services and medical group offices. The nomination simply asks you to share your story of why a nurse is special to you. St. Mary's honors eight nurses each year.
There are two ways you can nominate a St. Mary's nurse for the DAISY Award:
- Visit St. Mary's DAISY Award webpage
- Contact Melissa McDaniel, Marketing Administrative Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator, at (706) 389-3890, option 3.