Texas County Memorial Hospital celebrated the remarkable contributions of its 115 nurses during National Nurses’ Week, which took place from May 5 to 9.
Nurses’ Week is a yearly tradition at TCMH, recognizing the vital roles that nurses play across various departments, including medical, obstetrics, emergency room, surgery, intensive care, home health, hospice and clinics.
“Each day, our nurses diligently provide essential care to patients, and their steadfast dedication is truly commendable,” Courtney Owens, TCMH chief nursing officer, said.
“We sincerely appreciate every nurse’s contributions and their vital role in patient care.”
To make this week a memorable celebration, the nurse managers at TCMH organized a variety of engaging events. Highlights included a nacho bar on Monday, a coffee bar on
Tuesday, a fun poker run on Wednesday and several snack stations on Thursday, ensuring there was something enjoyable for everyone.
The week culminated in a DAISY ceremony on Friday, May 9, featuring a cinnamon roll breakfast for all nurses.
Among the nominees for the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award were TCMH nurses John Sawyer (ICU RN), Ally Wilkins (obstetrics LPN), Michael Sullivan (ER RN), Lisa Pellerito (ER RN), Dustin Luse (med-surg LPN), Charlene Curtis (med-surg RN), Will Smart (CRNA, surgery), Melissa Duddridge (med-surg RN), Paula Riggs (home health RN), Amy Mills (ICU RN), Tara Scott (med-surg RN), Forrest Nunnery (ICU LPN), Tammi Coonts (ICU RN), Tori Moore (ICU RN), Rebecca Duggar (ICU RN), and Andy Dean (CRNA, surgery).
Each nominee received special recognition along with a DAISY pin for their nomination.
“All the nominees are outstanding nurses,” Owens explained. The DAISY Award, which represents the pinnacle of recognition for RNs and LPNs at TCMH, is a prestigious honor in the nursing community, symbolizing the extraordinary care and compassion demonstrated by the recipient.
The DAISY Award is part of the nonprofit DAISY Foundation based in Glen Ellen, California. The foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away at the age of 33 in late 1999 due to complications from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a lesser-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease.
The exceptional care that Patrick and his family received from nurses during his illness inspired the creation of the DAISY Award, which serves to recognize nurses for their profound impact on the lives of patients and their families. The recipients must be nominated for a specific act of extraordinary care.
“At TCMH, we are proud to have an exceptional team of nurses who profoundly influence lives,” April Crites, RN, quality director and DAISY coordinator, said. “Their unwavering dedication and compassionate care inspire us all.”
From the nominees, Tara Scott of Cabool was selected to receive the 2025 Spring DAISY Award. Scott has been with TCMH for two years.
Bill Bridges, TCMH chief executive officer at TCMH, presented the award to Scott.
“We are grateful for those who submitted nominations, highlighting the extraordinary actions of our TCMH nurses who consistently go above and beyond their regular duties. These commendable acts reflect our nurses’ unfaltering commitment to delivering exceptional health care services to our patients,” Bridges said.
Scott received the DAISY Award for a nomination from Kathryn, an ICU patient.
In her nomination, Kathryn praised Scott as one of the best health care providers she had ever encountered: “I was transferred from Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains due to a lack of available beds. I was unhappy about the transfer as I live in West Plains and typically use the hospital there. However, after arriving Monday night and being placed in the intensive care unit, an angel of a nurse took care of me in the best way possible. I will never forget her compassion, her sense of humor when it was needed and the excellent care she provided. I have never completed a survey like this before, but Tara deserves this award.”
“Scott is an outstanding and caring nurse who consistently goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional care to our patients,” Owens said. “She truly deserves the DAISY award.”
As part of the recognition, Scott received a special DAISY Award pin, a certificate of recognition, a bouquet of fresh flowers and a hand-carved stone sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.”