Maddy Barber, BSN, RN, works in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is one of the latest group of DAISY Award winners at VUMC.
From the nomination
“Our sweet girl passed away. Even though the situation was horrible and unfortunate, it couldn’t have gone better. Maddy was so compassionate and caring the entire time. I personally cope with dark humor, and she was very on beat with me and I loved that. … She answered every question we had with a clear and loving response. She explained the situation and everything that was going on so well and what to expect. There were moments where she caught us, the parents, alone and asked multiple times if we were OK, if we need anything, and if we ever wanted time alone with our daughter, that she could make that happen and we don’t have to worry. She was very attentive to reaction, emotion, and overall room vibes. If I ever have to go through death again, myself or another loved one, I would want to have Maddy by my side.”
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.