No one ever suspects that they will be the one — the person recognized above all others for a job well done.
Greyson Hammons, BSN, RN, is no different.
“I’ve been here for about one year and had been notified that I had been nominated,” laughed Hammons, who works in the Vanderbilt Behavioral Health electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) program. “I never dreamed that I would be selected.
“I was just finishing up rounds, and they pulled me aside. I didn’t know what was going on. Then I look over and see a table set up, balloons, a cake and a plaque all for me. It truly never dawned on me that I would win.”
Hammons is the Vanderbilt Behavioral Health 2025 Patient and Family Choice Award winner.
Nominations are submitted by patients and families. The award honors employees from across Vanderbilt Health who act with compassion and excellence to provide an exceptional experience for patients and their families. This year, five of Vanderbilt’s patient and family advisory councils bestowed awards on seven individuals from Vanderbilt University Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, Vanderbilt Adult Ambulatory Clinics, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital and Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital.
Hammons received multiple nominations.
“Greyson started working in ECT a couple of months prior to me starting treatment,” reads one nomination. “She stepped up to the plate and welcomed me in although she has only been there a short time herself. She took time to truly educate me. Greyson is extremely patient with her patients and their families and exemplifies what patient-centered care is all about. She is also willing to help any staff member with education or patient care.”
Hammons joined the behavioral health team after getting her nursing start in medical-surgical nursing. While serving in that role, she noticed how much she enjoyed the mental health aspect of care and how much she wanted to assist patients experiencing mental health challenges.
She spent years as a nurse in the inpatient behavioral health world prior to joining the Vanderbilt Health enterprise. She developed an interest in ECT, a treatment used for severe depression and other mental health issues like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The therapy is used when other treatments are not successful.
“Knowing that I am a part of a team helping patients really is impactful,” said Hammons. “When I am at work, I think about how I would want the same kind of care and how I would want to be treated. Our patients are so very thankful and grateful — it makes me want to keep doing what I am doing to help them get better.
“My job is very rewarding.”
Another nomination stated that Hammons “goes out of her way to connect with patients. She is very efficient and has a great bedside manner.”
A parent shared that her son, who has been a patient at Vanderbilt Behavioral Health since 2022, has developed a good rapport with Hammons: “Her gentle care for him during and after his treatments has been amazing. She is just so kind, supportive and friendly and is such a valuable team member.”
Soon after receiving the recognition, Hammons called her family to share the good news.
“I felt so honored,” she said. “I put it on my shelf in my home office space. It’s a great reminder that what I am doing matters. It is helping. It said a lot to me that the award came from the people that I am caring for.”
