A week of celebrating nurses at Texas County Memorial Hospital culminated with a Willow Springs woman receiving the highest recognition at a special event.
Angie Cox, a registered nurse in the obstetrics department, received the third DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award on May 4. She received it based on the nomination she received from Tyler Mobley, which he submitted in recognition of the care provided to him and his girlfriend during the labor and delivery of their son at TCMH.
In the nomination, Mobley described the labor and delivery of their son as high-stress, but he commended Cox for her calm demeanor and praised her for continuously keeping them reassured that everything was going to be okay.
“I truly believe Angela saved my son’s life by being so vigilant and fast acting,” Mobley said. “Angela stepped up in ways my words don’t justify.”
Mobley’s nomination said Cox stepped up and became a rock for Mobley and his girlfriend when they needed it the most.
“Angela’s fast-acting, loving, and caring nature is why I believe she is a picture perfect candidate for the DAISY award,” Mobley said.
Mobley and his son attended the DAISY award ceremony to honor Cox. She received two DAISY nominations.
Cox received a special DAISY Award pin; recognition certificate; bouquet of fresh daisies; and a hand-carved stone sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.” An additional recognition ceremony in the TCMH obstetrics department with Cox will feature cinnamon rolls because Cinnabon cinnamon rolls were a personal favorite food of the man who the award was named after.
The DAISY award recipient must be nominated for a specific act of extraordinary care that was experienced by the person making the nomination. Also nominated were: Amy Mills, RN, intensive care unit; Stephanie Gingerich, RN, medical surgical department; Bailey Walker, RN, emergency department; LeaAnn Stein, LPN, surgery clinic; Stephanie Gentry, RN, medical surgical department; Caly Scantlin, RN, medical surgical department; Jennifer Terrill, RN, obstetrics; and Bailey Howell, LPN, medical office complex.
One nurse from each TCMH department with nursing staff was given recognition for “outstanding nursing achievements and excellence.” The nurses were Jennifer Jordan, RN, surgery; Amy Mills, RN, intensive care unit; Shelby Ellison, RN, and Jennifer Gunter, RN, medical surgical; Yvonne Cope, RN, obstetrics; Kalli Wade, RN, emergency department; and April Crites, RN, Home Health of the Ozarks.
Also during the week, a mandatory nursing skills lab was provided for the nursing staff. Twelve stations provided education — some of which were hands on — on topics such as wound and skin care, drug-resistant organisms, patient safety, chest tubes and medications.
Great Scrubs & More came to TCMH to allow nurses and other employees the opportunity to shop for uniforms during the day.
On Friday, breakfast or lunch was served to all members of the TCMH nursing staff.
TCMH employs 132 nurses. They work in many departments of the hospital — medical surgical, obstetrics, emergency room, surgery, intensive care, home health, hospice, and clinics.