Return to Main Menu

MUSC Excellence at the medical center Employees recognized for job well done People: Fostering employee pride in the workplace May DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award winner The DAISY Award is given monthly to an MUSC nurse who embodies the efforts and vast knowledge required of a nurse in today’s health care system.   Created by the DAISY Foundation to recognize nurses throughout the country, the award is co-sponsored by Sandpiper Retirement Community, a continuum of care retirement community in Mount Pleasant. All DAISY Award winners receive an African Shona Tribe sculpture entitled, “A Healer’s Touch,” a framed certificate, a daisy bouquet, and a DAISY Award pin.   The DAISY Foundation also provides cinnamon rolls for all the nurses in the winner’s unit. MUSC is among 50 medical facilities honoring nurses with The DAISY Award. This is one initiative of the foundation whose overall goal is to help fight diseases of the immune system.   The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation was established by J. Mark Barnes and his family in memory of his son, J. Patrick, who died at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombo-cytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.   The winner for May is Gwen Kearse. Her nomina-tion reads: “Gwen Kearse has worked at MUSC for more than enough years to retire, but fortunately for the Children’s Hospital, she continues to work as a hospital services coordinator. Gwen is there for the staff after hours to solve bed management problems, ensure adequate staffing, and assist the staff in meeting the needs of our patients and families. Gwen has learned to think outside of the box and find creative solutions to whatever problems arise during her shift. Gwen is not afraid to jump in and help however she can and never tells us she is too busy to get to our problem, even when she is. Gwen’s strong work ethic comes from a true passion for caring for pediatric patients and their families. Most nurses would burn out after all these years, but Gwen’s commitment to the Children’s Hospital grows stronger each passing year. The PICU staff would like to recognize Gwen for her dedication to our children and families. She is a fine example of excellence in pediatric nursing. ” (Submitted by Melinda Biller) Employees of the Month for April Florence Wilson received the following nomination: “When my mother was hospitalized Florence Wilson was a very caring person. She always had words of hope and comfort, always had a wonderful smile and here at MUSC she was my angel. There were many mornings my mother was ill and the only person I had to speak to was this kind, compassionate woman who even though it was not her job would come to me and give me uplifting words. Thank you for all you have done. My mom has passed but I  have found a friend in a person I will never forget from MUSC.” (Nominated by Patricia Ford, family of a patient) Ron Treiber, Ambulatory Care/RT Building Operations: “I would like for everyone to know and to recognize a person that I never met who came to my rescue on a day I fainted in my office. He continued to talk to me until I came to and he also assisted me until the emergency team came to take me to the emergency room. Thank you Ron Treiber for your heroic attitude. And I would like everyone to know him. What he did for me, he would do for anybody. And I still haven’t met him. He has come by my office twice to check on me and I keep missing him.” (Nominated by Sandra Burnett) Physician of the Month for April Sally Webb, M.D., Pediatrics, April Physician of the Month: “Sally Webb is an excellent clinician. Sally’s sharp assessment skills, quick thinking, and calmness under pressure are well suited for her role in pediatric emergency medicine and pediatric critical care. What sets Sally apart from most of her physician colleagues is her constant concern for the ethical issues of patient care and her commitment to family centered care. Sally always takes time out to keep families informed and gives honest, compassionate answers to even the most difficult questions. Sally ensures that end-of-life issues are addressed in a way that provides comfort and dignity to our patients and their families. Sally works diligently to attempt to save each of our patients, but is prepared to accept the inevitable when necessary and make the process less difficult for the family in any way possible. She is a shining example of excellence in pediatric critical care medicine. Sally proves that even when we can’t save a life, we can still make a difference for our patients and their families.” (Nominated by Melinda Biller, R.N.)     Friday, May 30, 2008 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.