Allyson McCurley receives St. Mary’s DAISY Award for nursing excellence

Athens, Ga., – Allyson McCurley, a registered nurse providing bedside care in the Short Stay Surgical Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital, has received St. Mary’s DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence. She was nominated by the daughter of a patient to whom McCurley provided care.

“Allyson was kind, compassionate, and incredibly informative,” the daughter writes. “She took the time to explain everything clearly, easing both my mother’s anxiety and my own.

“What truly stood out was a small act of kindness that spoke volumes about the type of nurse Allyson is. My mother wanted a Sprite, but none was available through patient supplies. During her own lunch break, Allyson went out of her way to purchase one for my mother. It was such a thoughtful gesture that made my mother feel cared for as a person, not just a patient.

“Allyson is truly a gem and I am grateful for the care she provided to my mother during a vulnerable time. Her clinical excellence, compassion, and willingness to do the little things that make a big difference are what nursing is all about. She is an outstanding example of the nursing profession,” the nomination concludes.

"Allyson embodies what it truly means to be compassionate,” said her manager, Sunnie Patat. “She listens, she cares, and patients definitely notice that. She is kind and empathetic while also delivering high-quality care. We are lucky to have her on our Short Stay team."

McCurley is a resident of Athens-Clarke County and has worked at St. Mary’s for nearly 5 years. Before joining the Short Stay team, she worked in St. Mary's Emergency Department and Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU).