Melissa Doe, a Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) Allergy Clinic nurse, was surprised with NMCP’s inaugural Daisy Award during an impromptu ceremony Sept. 28.
“I was actually doing some patient care and I thought it was an emergency when they pulled me in the hallway. It was a complete surprise,” Doe said. “I am just overwhelmed. It’s such an honor. It’s just been so good working here the last 14 years.”
The Daisy Award was established by the Daisy Foundation in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, a patient who lost his life to the auto-immune disease ITP. Barnes’ family wanted to recognize the incredible care that the nurses provided him before his death and created the award now embraced by healthcare organizations around the world.
“Several Navy hospitals have implemented this award program, so at NMCP, we also wanted to honor the nurses and recognize the compassion and care that they give every day with this award,” said Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Powell, NMCP Daisy Award Committee co-chair.
The launch of the program at NMCP was initiated by Capt. Sandra Hearn, NMCP’s director for Nursing Services, with the inaugural award given a day before her retirement.
“I’ve been working to institute this program to recognize all the wonderful nurses we have here (at NMCP) and we did it just in time for me to see the first awardee before I retire,” Hearn said.
The inaugural award was submitted by Cmdr. Lawrence Potter, an NMCP allergist and immunologist who commended the dedicated efforts of Doe. Potter emphasized during the recognition that Doe has had countless patient interactions and always ensures decisions are made in the best interest of patients.
“In one instance, we had a child who began to have uncontrolled vomiting and the patient’s mother became distraught,” Potter said. “Mrs. Doe coordinated the admission to the medical center and accompanied the mother and child to the ward and continued to provide comfort to the mother and remained at her side until her child was stable and safe. She left long after the workday ended and well after her responsibility was transferred since the child was admitted.”
NMCP’s Daisy Award committee plans to recognize one of NMCP’s nurses with the award each quarter. Nominations can be made by patients, family members and peers. Nomination sheets can be found in the clinics or can be made at https://survey.max.gov/364164.