Kelly Mathis, BSN, RN, works in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Monroe Carell Junior Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is one of the latest DAISY Award winners at VUMC.
From the nomination
“On the second day of my 5-day old daughter’s stay at Monroe Carell, she was by all indications dying. Her blood pressure was dropping, her blood sugar level was dropping, and her oxygen was dropping. As a father, there is no worse feeling than watching this happen and feeling helpless. I would do anything to save my daughter, but I do not have the knowledge or training to intervene; however, Kelly does have the training and knowledge. More importantly, though she has the passion and compassion. I watched in utter awe as Kelly worked around the clock, tirelessly and gracefully flying around the room as she changed out IVs, took blood samples, and administered oxygen. All the nurses here are incredible, but what stood out about Kelly was the sheer depth of her compassion and how it manifested in her work ethic; she cared about my child as much as I do, despite having just met her, and cared for her as such.
To me, that’s what makes for a nurse worthy of such recognition as the DAISY award, someone who is not only technically and intellectually skilled, but also deeply compassionate, possessing that unteachable quality of genuine care for other people such that they will give everything they have to see their health improve.
For nearly twelve hours, Kelly never once sat down. She devoted every second to saving my daughter’s life, and she did so with grace, love, and a smile. As I watched Kelly work, I knew my daughter was going to be OK, and what a blessing and gift Kelly gave me and my wife that day. Not just the act of saving our daughter, but the certainty of it in the moment. I recognize and appreciate that this hospital is full of the best nurses in the nation, but still Kelly stands out. I’ve never encountered anybody (in any field) who works as hard as she does and with such unerring compassion. I will always be grateful to Kelly for the rest of my life for what she did that day, and it would mean a lot to me, personally, if the hospital would join me in that recognition. Kelly Mathis saved a life, one that means everything to me, and Kelly saved that life as if it meant everything to her, too.”
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.