Max Updike, registered nurse at South Georgia Medical Center on 3 West, received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for April. The award is part of the international DAISY Foundation developed to recognize the amazing care provided by nurses every day.

Updike was nominated by his colleague, Tim Sirmans. Sirmans said, “Not all things can be fixed by a healthcare professional’s knowledge or medicine, but cured by the smallest thing such as one’s time, attention, heart and touch.”

On Feb. 11, Updike's patient was experiencing confusion and became disoriented. She was tired of lying restlessly in bed while family caregivers slept. The bed alarm activated and Updike went to check on her.  After thirty minutes past, fellow nurses began to wonder where he was and went to find him. As they approached the patient’s room, there sat Updike at the side of the bed coloring with the patient. Pure joy and happiness exuded from the patient as they sat together coloring their own pictures.

"Most people would have awoken the family to handle the patient’s restlessness, but not Max. He gave this patient his undivided attention and most of all offered that human touch! He is a true example of a DAISY and his actions went far beyond what is expected that day,” explained Sirmans.

SGMC continues to ask patients and fellow employees to honor nurses they feel go above and beyond in their care. Nominations are reviewed by a committee based on criteria that include compassion, teamwork, leadership, attitude and skills and knowledge.

Daisy awards are presented monthly in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors. Each honoree received a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse” and a beautiful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand –carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. The daisies given to the recipient were graciously donated by Valdosta Greenhouses.