Licensed practical nurse (LPN) Michelle Clemmer from Blount Memorial Hospital’s 5-north floor has earned the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®, becoming the hospital’s tenth DAISY Award recipient since partnering with The DAISY Foundation™ in 2020 to acknowledge extraordinary and compassionate care in the field of nursing.
A graduate of the hospital’s LPN program through the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Clemmer was presented her award on Thursday, May 9 during the hospital’s annual Nurses Week celebration. She received her DAISY award, along with a pin, a certificate commending her as an “Extraordinary Nurse” and a Healers Sculpture, and became the latest nurse to add her name to Blount Memorial’s banner of DAISY recipients.
Clemmer was nominated by a patient for the detailed and personal care she provided. “She was very calming and reassuring, and I felt well cared for. She never seemed to be in a hurry and was constantly processing my care,” the patient wrote in Clemmer’s nomination. “I feel (Clemmer) embodies the values that this institution holds important regarding excellence in her profession and a strong advocate for those in her care.”
“The caring attitude recognized by our patients comes easy for Michelle, who makes sure everyone she encounters feels compassion and feels valued,” said Blount Memorial chief nursing and operating officer Joe Newsome. “She really takes time to get to know her patients, paying attention to each detail. Michelle is a great nurse who really enjoys caring for others,” he added.
Blount Memorial’s association with The DAISY Foundation™ gives patients, family members, co-workers, visitors and colleagues the opportunity to nominate a nurse for the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care he or she provides. Award recipients are chosen by a committee at Blount Memorial to receive The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®. Awards are presented throughout the year.
DAISY Award nomination forms are available throughout the hospital and online here.
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
