CTMC RN recognized for extraordinary nursing

Shelby Fitzgerald, RN was honored at Central Texas Medical Center as the hospital’s latest The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner. The award is part of The DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. 

“We have so many wonderful nurses at CTMC we are happy to be able to honor them and their dedication to our patients and their families with The DAISY Award,” CTMC Chief Nursing Officer Catherine Amitrano said. 

Fitzgerald’s bright spirit and compassion impressed a new foster mom when her young girl came down with a bad virus. When she walked into the room, Fitzgerald got down low to talk to the child and connect with her. This simple action, combined with her expert medical care, brought comfort and reassurance to little girl and her nervous foster mom. A year later, the same woman was admitted to the CTMC Emergency Department with a gallbladder attack. When her first nurse was having difficulty accessing her vein for an IV, she called Fitzgerald for support. 

“Shelby quickly got the job done and brought her usual energy into the room with her,” the patient said in her nomination. “I felt completely at ease in her care and trusted her instructions and judgement. I’m certain nurses like Shelby are rare, and I think CTMC is very fortunate to have her.” 

CTMC will continue to honor its nurses with The DAISY Award quarterly. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at CTMC to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients and visitors. Each honoree receives a certificate commending them as 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 also receive a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called "A Healer’s Touch," hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. 

The DAISY Foundation is a nonprofit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. 

"When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night," Bonnie Barnes, co-founder of The DAISY Foundation, said. "Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the superhuman, extraordinary, compassionate work they do. The kind of work the nurses at CTMC are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.” 

This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation to express gratitude to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes grants for nursing research and evidence-based practice projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students. More information is available at the DAISY Foundation's website.