SGMC Health honored Michael Smith, RN, as the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. This international recognition celebrates nurses who exemplify compassionate care, clinical excellence, and an unwavering commitment to their patients and colleagues.

Smith was nominated by the family of a patient who described him as a compassionate and steadfast presence during a difficult and emotional time.

The family shared that their loved one became seriously ill and passed away shortly after a cancer diagnosis. According to the nomination, Smith was upfront and honest about the patient’s condition, kept the family informed, and provided comfort throughout the experience. He ensured that family members could be present in the patient’s final moments, offering hugs, tissues, and emotional support while allowing privacy for the family to say goodbye.

“Michael was truly the nurse we needed that night, and I don’t think we could’ve gotten through that experience without him,” the family shared. “He exemplifies what and who a DAISY nurse is.”

DAISY Awards are presented monthly in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors. Each honoree receives a certificate of recognition, a hand-carved sculpture titled A Healer’s Touch from the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe, and a floral arrangement of daisies, generously donated by The Flower Gallery, SGMC Health’s local DAISY Award sponsor.

SGMC Health offers a variety of recognition programs to honor employees who embody its tagline of Remarkable People, Extraordinary Care, Human Kindness. To learn more about these awards and other recognition programs, visit sgmc.org/recognition.