Tammie Cornell, RN, works in the Intensive Care unit at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
From the nomination
“My mother started to become ill in June and was in and out of VWCH for much of the month. She was having major problems breathing and was transferred to ICU. We decided the best thing for her and her lungs was to intubate and give her lungs a rest. Our nurse for most of the month was Miss Tammie Cornell. Tammie knows how to talk to her patients. She was my rock as I became more of my mother’s.
“While mom was in the ICU, we thought the outcome of all this was not going to be good. I had made my peace with mom before she was intubated. So, when she was extubated, the first thing she said should be a testament to you guys. It wasn’t “I love you” or anything like that. It was “SUCH. (BREATH) GOOD (BREATH) CARE! (BREATH)”, and she was right. This hospital provides such good care.
“I got to see more of Tammie’s skills as a nurse. That little woman is a powerhouse. She knows what her patients need and knows how to approach difficult topics. As my mom was declining, her anxiety was increasing. Other than medication, Tammie (while I was not available) was able to soothe my mom and calm her nerves. My mom was fading but alert and understood everything that was happening. We decided she would transfer into hospice care status. She was adamant that she wanted to remain with Tammie. She would go to another room, if Tammie could come with us.
“I may have ‘lost’ my mother during this process, but I gained an entire family. Thanks for the amazing care you showed to my mother and me. Miss Tammie Cornell deserves all our love and support. My new auntie, Miss Tammie Cornell, thank you for supporting me in this difficult time.”
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.
