Theresa Hart, Registered Nurse and Inpatient Diabetes Educator at South Georgia Medical Center, was named the February DAISY Award Recipient for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the international DAISY Foundation developed to recognize the amazing care provided by nurses every day.
 
Hart was nominated by her colleague, Norma Brown, who shared multiple situations where Hart went above and beyond to help patients and coworkers. From leading process improvement for diabetic patients to helping those struggling financially get appropriate medications and supplies, time and time again Hart quietly acts as a good samaritan for patients.  According to Brown, “Theresa’s caring heart exemplifies what is good and right with SGMC nursing and our community.”
 
“It was a joy and privilege to present this award to Theresa. The DAISY Award is the most significant award granted to a nurse,” said SGMC Chief Nursing Officer Randy Smith.
 
According to Smith, this recognition exemplifies the true meaning of nursing which can’t be measured by technical skill or by formal education. It’s the true essence of nursing, the ‘thing’ that makes a nurse so special, the reasons why a person decides to become a nurse.
 
“This award celebrates the skill, care, and compassion that Theresa provides to the patients and families of SGMC every day.  She is an amazing nurse who has impacted the profession far beyond what she could have ever imagined,” said Smith.
 
Hart has been with SGMC for 12 years.
 
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 receives a certificate commending him or her for being an “Extraordinary Nurse” and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.