Magnet Nursing, Atrium Health Navicent
DAISY Awards
DAISY stands for: Diseases Attacking the Immune System. It was created in 1999 by the Patrick Barnes Family after their son Patrick succumbed to Thrombocytopenia Purpura. The Barnes' family was so impressed with the excellent nursing care their son Patrick received they created a foundation in his honor to recognize and honor exceptional nurses.
July 2024 DAISY Award Winner William “Seth” NeSmith
Nurses at Atrium Health Navicent go beyond what's asked of them, even when they may not be working in a patient-care setting. Seth NeSmith, a registered nurse in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at the Atrium Health Navicent Medical Center, exemplified that recently. While on the way to work recently, Seth noticed that a vehicle had swerved into a deep ditch. Seth pulled the victim out of the water, assisting him with two other individuals prior to the arrival of Atrium Health Navicent EMS to provide further care. Seth then quickly returned home to get cleaned up and reported to his scheduled shift. Thank you, Seth, for going above and beyond for patients at all times. We are thrilled to recognize you as Atrium Health Navicent's latest DAISY Award winner!
B.E.E. Awards
Just as the daisy cannot thrive without the bee, nurses cannot thrive without the support of other health care professionals.
The B.E.E. Award exists for nurses to recognize nursing support teammates who go beyond expectations. The recipient of the B.E.E. Award is compassionate, caring, and has a positive attitude. He or she is responsive and timely to a patient's needs and is an excellent communicator to the rest of the healthcare team. The winner is someone who goes above and beyond in caring for patients and their teammates.
July 2024 B.E.E. Award Winner: Vanetta Howard
Atrium Health Navicent is buzzing with excitement to spotlight Vanetta Howard as its latest B.E.E. Award recipient who goes beyond expectations to support the care provided by our nurses! A unit secretary in the Labor & Delivery unit at Atrium Health Navicent, The Medical Center, Vanetta makes the extra effort to get to know her patients and strives to make each feel special - especially those who may not have family support. When one recent patient made mention of not having clean clothes, she took the patient's clothes home, washed, dried, and folded them herself. This, in addition to other efforts such as picking up extra shifts when needed, are just a few of the ways Vanetta helps foster an environment in which care is provided For All!
Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) Hospital Hero Award
The GHA Hospital Hero Awards were established in 2005 as a way of recognizing the amazing hospital workers in our state, acknowledging heroic deeds as well as long-time service to the health care field. Each year, individuals are honored with this prestigious award. Winners are those who have tirelessly given time, talent, and expertise to improve their organizations and the world around them.
2022 GHA Hospital Hero Award Winner: Meryl Montgomery
Atrium Health Navient's Meryl Montgomery was one of only five health care workers statewide to receive the Hospital Hero Award in 2022. She was recognized for her longtime dedication to our hospital and devotion to being an advocate for her patients. She has nearly five decades of experience and leads most of the quality initiatives at the hospital. Her efforts have led to numerous improvements such as reduced patient falls, reduced catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and reduced ventilator associated events. On top of all that, she has guided the organization through four ANCC Magnet Recognition Program designations, a recognition that is steadfast proof of a hard-earned commitment to excellence in health care.
“In her 47-year career as a nurse, Meryl has made a difference in the lives of countless patients and hospital teammates, and is very deserving of this award. Meryl is the type of nursing leader who is often encouraging nurses to think outside the box to devise solutions, and her dedication to nursing shows in everything that she does. Congratulations to Meryl and thanks to the Georgia Hospital Association for this recognition.”
-Tracey Blalock, CNE
“Atrium Health Navicent and the Macon community are fortunate to have Meryl's expertise, dedication, and utmost commitment to improving patient care. She is well-respected in the health care community, and we are pleased to honor her with this award.”
-Earl Rogers, GHA President and CEO
Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) James Shepherd Lifetime Achievement Award
The GHA Lifetime Achievement Award honors one hospital employee annually from a GHA-member hospital who has dedicated a lifetime of service to the health care field - at least 30 years - and has made a significant impact in enhancing the operations and patient care of a hospital.
GHA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Dawn Cole
Dawn Cole, RN, MSN, retired Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Atrium Health Navicent, was awarded this honor in 2021. Over the years, she's worked closely with Atrium Health Navicent's leaders, caregivers, physicians, and community stakeholders to advocate for children's services. Cole was instrumental in developing numerous quality initiatives, partnering with human resources to implement a tuition reimbursement program, revising nursing education programs, and creating the nurse residency program.
“Dawn Cole has been a remarkable advocate for pediatric patients, which is vital to ensuring they receive appropriate care,”
said GHA President and CEO Earl Rogers.
“Dawn spent her entire nursing career at Atrium Health Navicent, and she has played a key role in shaping nursing and making it what it is today,”
said Atrium Health Navicent Chief Nursing Executive Tracey Blalock.
Dawn's viewpoint that “pediatric patients are not little adults” helped transform pediatric care in the Macon community and surrounding areas. Dawn has served as a wonderful mentor to many staff members, helping ensure that everyone works together to provide the best care.
Friends of Nursing
Friends of Nursing is a philanthropical group of Registered Nurses, Physicians, and community members who strive to improve healthcare and the profession of nursing through education, mentoring and recruitment into the nursing profession. We provide leadership seminars, clinical education offerings and promotion of nursing certification. Friends of Nursing also recognize exceptional nurses from across our system in an annual celebration of nursing excellence.
Congratulations to our 2024 Friends of Nursing Award Winners
From top right:
- Nurse Leadership of the Year Award: Victoria Cabasares, RN, AHN Peach-Emergency Dept.
- Specialty Services Nurse of the Year Award: Tina Bramlett, BSN, RN, AMB-BC, AHN Peach-Surgical Services
- Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year Award: Kayla Jones, MSN, NP, AHNTMC-Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Nurse of the Year Award: Jillian Jackson, BSN, RN, AHNTM-Peds ICU
- Post-Acute Services Nurse of the Year Award: Misti Robinson, BSN, RN, COS-C, AHNTMC-Home Health
- Rising Star Nurse of the Year Award: Grace McGibbon, BSN, RN, CEN, AHN Peach-Emergency Dept.
From bottom right:
- Barb Strickel Nurse of the Year Award: Debora Wright, LPN, AHN Peach-Med Surg Dept.
- Ambulatory Nurse of the Year Award: Lisa Moore, RN, CPN, AHNTMC-Peds Develop and Behavioral health
- Clinical Support Services Nurse of the Year Award: Michelle Wilkes, BSN, RN, AHNTMC-Clinical Informatics
- Emergency and Critical Care Nurse of the Year Award: Lisa Hallman, RN, AHNTMC-Emergency Dept.
- Medical Surgical Nurse of the Year Award: Beth Fitzgerald, LPN, AHNTMC-Ortho Med Surg Dept.
- Nightingale Nurse of the Year Award: Kristen Ogles, BSN, RN, CAPA, AHNTMC-Surgical Services
2024 Friends of Nursing
