Athens, Ga. – Sandy Rosenberg, a registered nurse who provides care in St. Mary’s Short Stay surgical preparation and recovery unit, has received St. Mary’s most recent systemwide DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence.
Rosenberg was nominated by a patient who received care from her before and after a surgical procedure.
“Ms. Sandy’s smile and empathy immediately assured me that I was in good hands,” the patient writes. “It was a very emotionally and psychologically challenging and draining day. I can barely express in words what it meant to me and my husband to have such a kind and attentive nurse.
“She and my husband got me laughing and smiling and I was so appreciative to have such a kind and friendly person taking care of me. It almost felt like I had a family member making sure to give me the best care. Every nurse, staff member, and doctor that we interacted with was wonderful. We would just like to especially recognize Ms. Sandy for going above and beyond the call of duty, and for making a dark day a whole lot brighter,” the patient concluded.
“Sandy is a highly experienced nurse who not only sees when patients need extra care and support, but steps up to provide it,” said Ann Gomes, director of Orthopedics and St. Mary’s DAISY Committee chair. “She was the right person in the right place at the right time for this patient and for so many others. We are proud to have her on our team.”
Rosenberg, who lives in Royston, has been part of the St. Mary’s team since 2022.
About the DAISY Award
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide day-in and day-out. It was created in gratitude for the nurses who provided care to Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old husband and father who lost his fight against a deadly autoimmune disease in 1999. His family created the DAISY Foundation, which now partners with more than 5,000 hospitals and schools in all 50 states and around the world to honor and inspire extraordinary nurses. Learn more about the DAISY Award at https://www.daisyfoundation.org/.
At St. Mary's, each DAISY Award recipient is recognized at a public ceremony with their colleagues. They receive a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a stone sculpture entitled "A Healer's Touch" that is hand-carved by sculptors in Zimbabwe. In addition, they and their colleagues are invited to celebrate the occasion with cinnamon rolls, a treat Patrick would request – even though he couldn’t eat them – as a thank-you to the nurses caring for him.
Anyone can nominate a St. Mary's nurse for the DAISY Award, including patients, patients' family members, providers, and colleagues. Any nurse in the St. Mary's system is eligible, including those at all three hospitals as well as home health care/hospice services and medical group offices. The nomination simply asks you to share your story of why a nurse is special to you. St. Mary's honors eight nurses each year.
There are two ways you can nominate a St. Mary's nurse for the DAISY Award:
