The Daisy Award Honors Mark Twain Medical Centers’ Exceptional Nurses

SAN ANDREAS, CA – June 1, 2020 - Thirteen Mark Twain Medical Center nurses have been honored with a nomination for The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses – recognizing the super-human efforts they perform every day.

MTMC Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer explains, “We are grateful to be part of The DAISY Foundation’s unique awards program which thanks nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. We presented certificates to our Extraordinary Nurses during National Nurses Week, recognizing their personal commitment to making humankindness part of their everyday routine.”

Sally Hoffman, RN, who works in the Emergency Department, was the DAISY Honoree and awarded a handmade carved trophy. Additional nominees are RNs Shelby Byington, Michelle Peters, Sherie McCutcheon, Mandy Gonsalves, Lindsy Gurden, Sandeep Tandel, Scott Harris, Lisa Stratton, Suzanne Stoner, Eileen Tierney, Michelle Robinson, and Amanda Norried.

MTMC President and CEO Doug Archer states, “It is really meaningful that nurses may be nominated for The DAISY Award by patients, families and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of their peers. The process includes submission of comments from those whose lives have been touched by our nurses in an extraordinary way.”

“A sampling of those comments speaks volumes about the personal dedication our nurses have for helping others.” 

Sally Hoffman’s Emergency Department patients commented: “She is so caring and nice….comforted me at all times when I was scared and in extreme pain. She touched my heart in the way I needed at the time of my emergency room visit. Her smile was my sunshine that day!”

Shelby Byington’s compassion for Emergency Department visitors was noted by a grateful family member who recounted: “On the day of my dad’s memorial service my mom became dizzy and anxious. Her blood pressure was elevated. Shelby was able to calm her down, get tests done and meds administered quickly so we could get to the service in time. She also called the next day to advise me on a follow-up plan. She was so efficient and made my mom feel at ease.”

Michelle Peters, who works in Surgical Services, was called “...the best nurse I have ever had” by a grateful patient. “...so nice and caring, and so helpful.”

Sherie McCutcheon and Amanda Norried of Surgical Services made lasting impressions. “They are exceptional in their field,” said one patient. “Very professional, caring and reassuring.”

Medical Surgical Department nurses Mandy Gonsalves, Lindsy Gurden and Sandeep Tandel were called “a credit to MTMC” by a surgery patient who noted: “I was treated extremely well by all three nurses. They were quick, responsive and very good at keeping me comfortable and pain free...and kept me well informed in detail about my situation.”

Emergency Department nurses Scott Harris, Eileen Tierney and Suzanne Stoner received compliments like – “Friendly, thoughtful and caring... kind and expressing serious care.”

ICU’s Lisa Stratton “was everywhere, did everything non-stop,” according to one of her patients. “She was constantly at my side...offering help and suggestions...exceptional attitude and work ethic.”

Michelle Robinson in the Surgical Services Department… “is doing a fabulous job for you...and for us, said one couple. “She went over everything at a perfect pace and in words an elderly couple could understand.”

“This extraordinary level of care provided every day by our MTMC nurses really epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award,” adds Archer.

The Daisy Awards are hosted by 4,500 health care facilities and schools of nursing in all 50 states in the USA and 28 other countries.

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 recognition program.

[PHOTOS: Left - Sally Hoffman, RN, who works in the Emergency Department, was the DAISY Honoree and awarded a handmade carved trophy. Right - Mark Twain Medical Center Nurses at the Daisy Award Ceremony.]

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About Mark Twain Medical Center
Founded in 1951, Mark Twain Medical Center is a 25-bed, critical access hospital providing inpatient acute care, outpatient services and emergency services. The Medical Center’s Medical Staff represents a broad range of specialties that ensure access to high quality medical care in a rural community. In addition to being a major provider of health services, Mark Twain Medical Center is also one of the area’s largest employers. More than 300 people are employed at the hospital and its five Family Medical Centers. The Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health and a part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the nation dedicated to advancing health for all and serving communities in 21 states. For more information, please visit our website at. Mark Twain Medical Center is also on Facebook.