Mason General honors 'extraordinary nurses'

Traci Wiley, a registered nurse in the birth center at Mason Health, is the first winner of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Wiley and the other 10 nominees were celebrated at an award event Feb. 29 at Mason General Hospital.

The other registered nurses who were nominees for the award are Becky Bingham, resource; Leah Coleman, PACA; Rosalyn Griffin, MSP; Joss Meagley,emergency department; Bronwyn Kennedy, wound care; Kim Nicewonger, walk-in clinic; Taylor Rebh, emergency department; Michele Rose, wound care; Patrick Santos, emergency department; and Marica Thomas, birth center.

Wiley's nominator wrote, "Traci helped me while I was delivering my first baby, she was there for me when I didn't have a clue what I was doing. When it was time to have my second child I was absolutely at ease when I knew Traci was on shift and could be there to assist me in that delivery. Traci advocated for me and my children, she was empathetic and helpful and really put me at ease. Being in labor has a way of taking your dignity and modesty, and Traci made sure I never felt embarrassed and that I was comfortable throughout the process. It was truly life-changing care, and I'm so thankful for her."

"It's a hard, but very rewarding job, nursing," Mason Health CEO Eric Moll said in his welcoming remarks at the event.

"I don't think any nurse goes into it for the money, or the status," said Melissa Strong, the chief nursing officer, said in her opening remarks.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse is part of the national DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care that nurses provide patients and families every day.

For the award, nurses can be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a Mason Health committee of frontline staff members, including department leaders and nurses. Each honored nurse received a certificate commending them as an "extraordinary nurse," a DAISY award pin and a sculpture called A Healer's Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe as Kimbabwe.

To nominate a nurse for the award, go to Mason Health's website at http://www.masonhealth.com.