Extraordinary Texas VA nurse recognized by national organization

Providing Veterans with the care they earned and deserve is our mission at VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VCB). On Thursday, Jan. 5, a nurse embodying this mission was honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. Nurses are nominated by patients, families, and colleagues, and are chosen by a committee of nurses at VCB.

The first DAISY Award recipient for VCB is Melody Morris. Mr. Mario Luera, the Veteran who submitted her DAISY Award nomination, was also in attendance to share his experience.

“You all have a great person and nurse here at this [clinic],” Luera said. “When Melody greeted me for my appointment it was with a smile and a calm voice. Her positive spirit is truly something that benefits the VA health system.”

Luera said the care and attention he received was the best care he had ever received. He added that Morris was a kind and caring nurse who deserved the DAISY Award, and he was honored to recognize her.

“We are proud to honor Ms. Morris and her dedication to our Veterans,” said Karen Griffin, associate director for Patient Care Services at VCB. “It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and the DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.”

THE DAISY AWARD

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired the DAISY Award.