11/20/2025
The Acute Nursing Department at Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems participates in The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses ®. 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 are proud to announce that our MCHHS DAISY Award Honoree is Dee Monty, LPN. Dee’s nomination stated, “Dee is loved and cherished by our residents and staff both. When she is not there, her absence is felt. Dee pours into our residents and she works hard to not only keep their bodies healthy, but to keep their spirits lifted up. She meets people where they are, regardless of ability or cognitive function. She brings joy and love to each one and is very encouraging to them all. When residents are the most important people, magic happens. Dee makes magic happen! Some residents don’t believe in their abilities to carry on or take one more step. Dee reaches for their spirits and inspires them to do more than they thought was possible. Dee is amazing and our resident’s benefit from her every day.” Moments like this truly highlight what an extraordinary nurse Dee is.
We would also like to recognize the other nurses nominated for The DAISY award during this period. Nominees were Taylor Musil, RN; Candy Kastle, RN; Carol Cordel, RN; Candy Tompkins, RN; Ryan Shrader, LPN; Stacy Lattin, RN; Julie Cady, RN; Deb Schoen, RN; and Sheila Thompson, RN.
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick 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 Patrick 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.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at MCHHS to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented twice a year at celebrations attended by the Honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors. Each Honoree receives a certificate commending her or him 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.
Said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation, "When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work they do. The kind of work the nurses at MCHHS are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
Pamela Hollerich, RCC Director of Nursing states, "Dee's dedication, compassion, and work ethic make a profound difference in the lives of our residents. She embodies the heart of nursing, and we are incredibly proud to honor her with this 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 http://DAISYfoundation.org
