Ellen Raymond, RN
By: Hemani Hughes

Ellen Raymond, BSN, RN, works in the Intensive Care unit at Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

From the nomination

(nomination was submitted by Clarksville-based cardiologist, Christopher McClure, MD)

“I was called to the ICU early one morning to perform a heart procedure on a hospice patient who had recently passed away, in hopes that she could become an organ donor. When I arrived, I saw Ellen gently caring for the patient, brushing her hair and supporting her grieving family. The warmth, compassion, and dignity she showed were remarkable.

“Although the patient was an adult, her parents were at her bedside, heartbroken by their loss. Ellen provided them with comfort during an unimaginably difficult time, offering both kindness and emotional support. The respect she showed the patient never wavered, even as she was taken from the room for the procedure.

“When we learned that the patient would be able to donate her heart successfully, Ellen shared in both the family’s tears and their joy, knowing that their daughter’s final gift would make a profound difference in another person’s life.

“Ellen is an exceptional nurse whose compassion, professionalism, and humanity leave a lasting impact on the patients and families she serves.”

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 for DAISY Awards may be made here.