Nurse's Compassionate Touch Comforts Family: Ashley Honaker wins DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses
August 06, 2011
Pulaski, VA, August 6, 2011 – The family of a patient who was treated at LewisGale Hospital Pulaski will never forget the compassion Ashley Honaker, R.N., showed in the last moments of their loved one's life. In a thank you letter to Ashley that was later submitted with her nomination form, the family talked about how she went the extra mile as a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit.
“Thank you because you cared so much,” wrote the family member. “You are an angel from God.”
“She has all the gifts of being a great nurse,” wrote another family member. “I love her!”
With all the compliments Ashley received on her nomination form, it was easy for the Nursing Professional Development Council to see why she deserved the 2nd quarter DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for 2011.
“The profession of nursing encompasses all areas of life, from the care and hope of a patient healing, to compassion and empathy at the end of life,” said Sandy Emeott, B.S.N., R.N., Chief Nursing Officer, LewisGale Hospital Pulaski. “Ashley personifies every aspect of the professional nurse, the DAISY Nurse, both in the hospital setting and in her life.”
Ashley has been a nurse since 2007. She credits many people in her life for helping to mold her into the nurse she is today.
“Starting with God and then my special mother, Tena Arnold, who has taught me love, compassion and respect for others,” said Ashley. “These are qualities that I believe all nurses and health professionals should have.”
Ashley has recently moved from the Intensive Care Unit to the Surgical Services Unit.
“We feel honored she is now a part of our department,” said Connie Cook, Director of Surgical Services. “Ashley always takes extra time with her patients and their families. It's easy to see how much that is appreciated.”
“Ashley exemplifies our core mission to provide patients with high–quality, compassionate care,” said Mark Nichols, CEO, LewisGale Hospital Pulaski.
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses was established by the DAISY Foundation, a not–for–profit, based in Glen Ellen, California. The foundation was started by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a little known but not uncommon auto–immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patients' families.
About LewisGale Hospital Pulaski
LewisGale Hospital Pulaski is part of LewisGale Regional Health System which includes 4 hospitals, 2 regional cancer centers, 6 outpatient centers and affiliations with nearly 700 physicians, including 135 employed providers and 550 independent physicians. With more than 3,300 employees, its annual payroll is $219.5 million. The system also paid $28.4 million in taxes and provided more than $73.5 million in uncompensated care to those most in need in 2009 alone. LewisGale is also part of HCA Virginia, the largest and most comprehensive healthcare provider in the Commonwealth with more than 13,000 employees. For more information see www.lewisgale.com.