COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., April 30, 2009 – Jennifer Thurmond, a nurse working in the step-down unit at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville, received the hospital’s first DAISY Award, which is given in appreciation of the work nurses do.

Thurmond received two nominations – one from a colleague and one from a patient – for the award. Registered nurse Melissa Bateman wrote in her nomination form that Thurmond “is like a daisy or what a daisy symbolizes to me – cheerful, peaceful and calming.” Bateman added that on a fellow colleague’s last night of work, Thurmond brought pizza, cake and soda.

Patient Minnette Stevenson was treated by Thurmond during her hospital stay and appreciated her respectful and comforting personality. Stevenson wrote, “During the night when my medication ran low and my emotions were high, Jennifer was a soothing, calming influence, explaining everything in a clear and concise manner.”

“We are very proud of Jennifer for all the hard work and thought she puts into her job,” said Susan Ferguson, chief nursing officer for Baptist Collierville. “She not only cares for the well-being of her patients but for her fellow nurses, as well. She is very deserving of this award.”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif., and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, an auto-immune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill led to the creation of the DAISY Award. All the nurses in Thurmond’s unit received cinnamon rolls because while Barnes was in the hospital, he once asked his family to bring enough cinnamon rolls for him and all the nurses in his unit.

Baptist Collierville opened its doors in May 1999. With all the amenities of home, this full-service hospital sits on a 75-acre park-like campus and features extra-large patient rooms and a walking trail. Medical services include a full-service emergency room, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient surgery, an ICU, a six-bed step-down unit, inpatient and outpatient diagnostics, the Baptist Sleep Disorders Center, a women’s center and 68 acute care beds.

For more information about Baptist Collierville, please visit collierville.baptistonline.org.

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