Jamie Kabanuk, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Kim Brown, RN and Recipient, Tiffany Keys, Chief Nursing Officer

Myrtle Beach, SC - A nurse with Grand Strand Health was honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of The DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

Grand Strand Health's first award recipient is Kim Brown, RN, on the orthopedic unit at Grand Strand Medical Center. Kim grew up in Myrtle Beach and received her nursing degree from Coastal Carolina University. Kim showed compassion, respect, excellence and service to the patient whose family member nominated her for this award. "Kim spent much needed time and patience with my father. She treated him with respect after his injury," expresses Heather Coleman, DAISY Award nominator. Grand Strand Health's nomination form asks for a description of the act the nurse showed based on the core values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, Service) for the health system.

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), an auto-immune disease. The care given to Patrick and his family while he was ill inspired this award for recognizing nurses making a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families.

"When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Grand Strand Medical Center are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award," said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation.

"We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in the DAISY Award program. Nurses are heroes every day. It's important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that," expresses Jamie Kabanuk, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer with Grand Strand Health.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of nurses with Grand Strand Health to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are given throughout the year at presentations in front of the nurse's colleagues, physicians, patients and visitors. Each Honoree receives a certificate for being an "Extraordinary Nurse." The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people." Honorees are also given a beautiful sculpture called A Healer's Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. More information is available at The DAISY Foundation.