Taylor Melanson, RN, works in the Labor & Delivery Unit of Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest DAISY Award winners at VUMC.
From the nomination
“Taylor has truly gone above and beyond from the second we met. I was greeted by her bright and early while I nervously anticipated fetal surgery. Taylor had gotten to work early and was eager to care for me. She was a calm in the storm. She was there for me that whole day and was my nurse for three more days after that. During those days she walked with me down the halls, sat with me and cried over the unknown, kept me company when my family couldn’t and truly felt like a friend.”
About DAISY Awards
The DAISY Award is a recognition for extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families.
VUMC distributes the award in partnership with The DAISY Foundation, which was formed in 1999 to honor the memory of J. Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old man who died of complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Barnes’ family was moved by the care they received from his nurses and wanted to recognize them to preserve his memory. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
VUMC nurse committees determine the individual recipients. Previous recipients of the DAISY Award are here. The award is open to all licensed nurses, and anyone can nominate — including co-workers, patients and their families. Nominations may be made here.
