Stephanie Boyd, BSN, RN, works in the Emergency department at Vanderbilt Tullahoma Harton Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
From the nomination
“I recently experienced one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life – a miscarriage. I was scared, grieving, and overwhelmed as I sat in the Emergency Department. In the midst of all of that, I was blessed with the most compassionate nurse I could have ever asked for. From the moment she walked into my room, she did not just see me as another patient, she saw me as a hurting mother. She held my hand through every procedure, never letting me feel alone. Her presence was calm, steady, and reassuring. Stephanie spoke to me gently, explained everything clearly, and somehow made me feel safe even while I was facing a loss I never thought I could endure. What made her extraordinary was not just her skill as a nurse, it was her humanity. She did not rush me. Stephanie allowed me space to cry, validated my feelings, and reminded me that I was not alone. In those moments, she gave me something I will never forget, comfort in the middle of heartbreak, and the feeling that I was going to be okay, even though my baby wasn’t.
“Nursing is often described as both an art and a science, and she embodied both perfectly. Stephanie has left a permanent mark on my heart, and I believe she is the very definition of what a DAISY Award recipient should be. I will never forget her kindness. She turned one of the worst days of my life into a memory where I also felt deeply cared for. I am forever grateful.”
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.