Jesse McGee, BSN, RN, works in the Medical/Surgical/Telemetry Unit at Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
From the nomination
“I am 73 years old and needed a knee replacement. I have always been very independent and don’t like asking people for anything. While in the hospital after my surgery, I was blessed to be a patient of Jesse’s. Even though it was later in the afternoon when I got to the room, she greeted me with the biggest smile. From the start, she made me feel like I was the only reason she was there that day. She laughed when I told her not to call me by my last name, but my first name, or she could call me by my nickname like everyone else. After that, we were family. I even offered to take her home with me if she promised to make her bed every day.
“Jesse has a true servant’s heart and is the perfect example of having the calling for nursing. I never had to use my call light because she checked on me regularly, and when she was there, she was 100% with me. She talked with me, not at me. Before she left the room, she always told me what to expect so I would know who else was supposed to be there, what they would be doing, and when she would be back. She was always true to her word. I hope the hospital understands what an asset she is to them and the community. I hope if I ever need stay in the hospital again, I can request her, and she would be willing to oblige one who never felt comfortable receiving assistance until Jesse showed me true compassionate care.”
About DAISY Awards
The DAISY Award is a recognition for extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families.
Vanderbilt Health 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.
Vanderbilt Health 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.
