Extraordinary Nurse Recognized at Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital

Meta Kirksey, RN, Intensive Care Unit
Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital

Meta Kirksey, RN, of Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, was recently honored with The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. This award was especially meaningful because Meta's husband, Alberto, also won the award eleven years ago.

The nomination submitted from one of Meta's patients read, "Meta was instrumental in the process of helping to communicate the need of the hospital and patient's family to CORE. She was a bridge in advocating for the proper donor management and initiating the conversation between the procurement coordinator and Dr. Snuffer. Furthermore, Meta advocated for the patient to be moved to a higher level of care ultimately leading to the authorization, procurement, and transplanting of organs. Meta was an essential piece of saving and healing four lives through donation. Through her help, the donor was able to help provide a liver transplant for a 53-year-old female, heart transplant for a 58-year-old male, right kidney for a 52- year-old female, left kidney for a 39-year-old female, as well as providing lungs for research." The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

"When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night," said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, CEO and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation. "Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award."

Meta is a Registered Nurse who works in the SJMH Intensive Care Unit. Prior to this, she and her husband worked at Mon Health Medical Center for nearly a decade. She has also spent time working in large healthcare facilities in Florida and North Carolina. Meta and her husband have twin daughters together.

"I have experienced quite a lot coming from large facilities, especially in the area of organ donation," Meta said. "Working with families was part of our job and I am happy to have brought that experience here."

"Meta is an amazing nurse who truly cares about her patients and their outcome. She is a strong advocate for all of her patients," said Carla Hamner, Nurse Director of Critical Care at Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Nurses can be nominated by anyone who has been affected by their care - patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians, and staff - anyone who has experienced or observed extraordinary, compassionate care being provided by a nurse. Say thank you to a nurse and nominate them for The DAISY Award by visiting MonHealth.com/DAISY. To learn more about the DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses, visit https://DAISYFoundation.org.