Extraordinary Nurse Recognized at Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital

Kathy's Department including Leslie Sprouse, Mark Casto, Kathy Daley-Nutt, Kelly Pugh, Dr. Ferdinand Martinez, and Connie McQueen.

Kathy Daley-Nutt, RN, was recently honored as The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses recipient at Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. Awarded to nurses biannually at the hospital, The DAISY Award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

The nomination submitted from a family member of one of Kathy’s patients read:

“My father was diagnosed with mantel cell lymphoma (MCL) in 2021. Shortly after being diagnosed, he was told he could no longer work due to all the medical conditions he had. Kathy was there for us every step of the way from checking in on us regularly to helping us in the right direction for medical insurance and my leave for work so that I could be there for my dad. She was there to listen when I cried from stress and the unknown of what life was about to bring us. She was a complete stranger at first and now my family considers her to be family!

My father always says he’s so blessed to have a nurse like Kathy, she’s made him feel so comfortable and she’s one of the people to be the reason he is alive today! My father was given about a year to live if he didn’t go through a treatment plan and that was devastating to me. I am so proud to say it has officially been a year and a month since he was given that news and he is doing amazing and almost back to his old self, I couldn’t be luckier to still have him! Kathy, thank you for everything, you’ve been a blessing to my family and my dad.”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in 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.

Kathy is a Registered Nurse in the Oncology department and has worked for Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital for 19 years. She also spent 14 years as a CNA before becoming a nurse.

“Being a nurse is so fulfilling, it does my heart good when you can help someone feel better or put a smile on their face,” said Kathy. “Winning this award makes me feel like I have done a good job at being the best possible nurse I can be to my patients. I never expected to win an award for doing what I love. My mom always wanted to be a nurse, she told me I was living her dream. She would be so proud.”

“Kathy is very deserving of this award. Her dedication to the nursing profession and compassionate care does not go unnoticed,” said Carole Norton, Chief Nursing Officer 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 DAISYFoundation.org.