SOUTHAVEN, Miss., July 12, 2009 – Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto recently recognized Lauren Black, a registered nurse, with the DAISY award for Extraordinary Nurses, which is given in appreciation of the work nurses do.

Black was nominated by a patient who said she took extra time to tend to her emotional and physical needs during a difficult time. The patient said she was put at ease by Black’s comforting words and sense of humor.

Each month, Baptist DeSoto’s nursing administrators accept nominations and select a nurse to receive the DAISY Award. At a presentation in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients and visitors, the honoree receives a certificate and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

“Lauren goes above and beyond demonstrating compassionate care for our patients,” said Mary Townsend-Gervis, chief nursing officer for Baptist DeSoto. “She’s an advocate for our patients, going out of her way to make sure all of their questions are answered and all their needs are met.”

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 Black’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 DeSoto is a 339-bed hospital that offers diagnostic, surgical and rehabilitation services. In 2001, the hospital completed an expansion project that nearly doubled its size, expanded its labor and delivery services and added open-heart surgery and radiation therapy. In April 2001, the Baptist DeSoto Outpatient Diagnostic Center and Women’s Center opened, which houses DeSoto County’s first open MRI, mammography services and other diagnostic tools. In November 2006, Baptist DeSoto opened a new, 11-story tower, featuring all-private rooms, expanded operating suites and a new emergency room.

For more information about Baptist DeSoto, please call 662-772-4000 or visit desoto.baptistonline.org.

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