Patients Blossom Under Nurse's Care: Tina MacIsaac wins DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses
February 01, 2011
Pulaski, VA, February, 2011 – Compassionate, attentive, and friendly – those were just a few of the words found on several nomination forms submitted by patients' families to describe the care their loved ones received from Tina MacIsaac, R.N., at LewisGale Hospital at Pulaski. It's the reason the Nursing Professional Development Council called it an honor to present MacIsaac with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
“Tina's nominations were outstanding and the majority came from families and visitors,” said Joy Gilman, R.N., Chairperson, Nursing Professional Development Council. “As an entire council, we were impressed when we saw she had truly impacted the families and patients this much.”
MacIsaac works in the Intensive Care Unit at LewisGale Hospital at Pulaski. She has worked for the hospital for more than three years.
“I always try to have empathy for my patients,” said MacIsaac, R.N.
While MacIsaac is one of few words, others can't say enough about her bedside manner.
“She provides the royal treatment to her patients and patients' families, going the extra mile to make sure that their needs are met and their questions are answered,” said Linda Shepherd, R.N, B.S.N., Director, Intensive Care Unit, Critical Care Unit and Cardiac Rehab. “She exemplifies sensitivity and kindness not only through her communication, but also through her actions.”
MacIsaac is the fourth quarter winner of the Daisy award and the second nurse to receive the honor since the program was implemented last year at LewisGale Hospital at Pulaski. Every quarter, patients, family members, visitors and co–workers have an opportunity to nominate a new nurse.
“Nurses are the backbone of our hospital,” said Mark Nichols, CEO, LewisGale Hospital at Pulaski. “They play a critical role in helping the hospital consistently rank among the top in the nation for patient care and satisfaction.”
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 at Pulaski
LewisGale Hospital at 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.