Lavonia resident receives St. Mary’s nursing award

A Lavonia registered nurse has received St. Mary’s systemwide DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence.

Rick Heaton, is a registered nurse who provides care as part of the nursing Float Pool at St. Mary’s Hospital.

A resident of Lavonia, Heaton was nominated by members of a family who were grateful for the care he delivered to their loved one as she neared the end of life in St. Mary’s Intensive Care Unit.

“I think about you and the care you gave my loved one during the final
moments,” one family member wrote. “You truly were a light in the middle of
darkness. We thank you for your kindness, dedication, and healing touch. Thank
you for always putting your patients first no matter how grueling your day. We
thank you for providing an empathetic ear and compassionate hand when a life-
changing diagnosis is delivered.”

“Rick is a marvelous nurse whose compassion for his patients and their families shines through every day. We are extremely proud of him and all of our DAISY Award recipients,” said Ann Gomes, St. Mary’s DAISY Award Committee coordinator and director of orthopedics at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. “This award demonstrates the vital role nurses play not only as care providers at the bedside but with families and colleagues as well. Congratulations, Rick!”

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.

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.