Jeannie “Renee” Williams, a registered nurse at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ John J. Pershing Medical Center clinic in West Plains, has been recognized with 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.
“I was very surprised and honored to get the Daisy Award,” said Williams of the recognition, presented by Associate Director for Patient Care Services Chandra Miller. “It’s a very prestigious award, and I’m honored that someone would take time out of their day to write something about me. It’s very humbling.”
Williams, a Patient Aligned Care Team (P.A.C.T.) nurse at the West Plains VA clinic, has worked at the facility for nearly three years. Prior to that, she served as an intensive care unit nurse in the private sector.
Describing herself as “a country girl” and a “nurturer,” Williams said she loves taking care of people: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m a caregiver at heart.”
Caring for veterans, in particular, carries a deep meaning for her, especially since both of her grandfathers served in World War II. “It’s an honor to give back, to serve people who served our country,” she said. “It’s a very humbling experience, and it’s close to my heart.”
Williams also gives great credit to her coworkers. “I couldn’t take care of the veterans without my coworkers,” she said. “We’re a good team, and together, we take really good care of the veterans. We make sure they’re not waiting and that they get everything they need.”
Williams was nominated for the Daisy Award by two veteran patients. The first said, “The reason the reputation of VA medical care has risen to new standards is due to its people. Renee is that person. Renee is one of the most compassionate people I have ever met.”
Continuing, the nominator said it is “because of people like Renee that my faith in humanity and VA care is restored.”
A second veteran nominator described Williams as “very helpful. She returns calls promptly and has a great ability to relay information of lab and X-ray, CT and MRI results. She is caring and easy to talk to … I really appreciate Renee and her abilities.”
Williams’ supervisor, Melinda Young, described her as a “true blessing to the veterans and the West Plains clinic. Renee is a caring and compassionate nurse, as is displayed in her interactions with the veterans and care team daily. She’s a true role model for all nurses.”
The award included a sculpture called “The Healer’s Touch.” Hand-carved by artists in Zimbabwe, each piece is signed by one of the many Shona artists that the Daisy Foundation supports.
“The economy and politics of Zimbabwe have been in turmoil for decades, and the artists are able to support hundreds of people in their families with this work,” according to the Daisy Foundation.
The Daisy Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. Daisy is an acronym for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System.”
The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired a unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families, according to the foundation.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues by dropping off a completed form in any of the Daisy boxes around the medical center and its outpatient clinics. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.
Awards are presented throughout the 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.”
“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,” said Bonnie Barnes, an American Academy of Nursing fellow and president and co-founder of the Daisy Foundation. “The kind of work the nurses are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the Daisy award.”
In addition to the Daisy award for Extraordinary Nurses, the foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care nurses, nurse-led teams, nurse leaders, nursing faculty and nursing students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and for nurses participating in medical missions. More information is available at Daisyfoundation.org.
