1000 x 90

Joyce Lowder Receives Daisy Award for Nursing at Cannon Memorial Hospital

f12882e9-9e0f-492c-9b17-1698b2485c82
Debbie Lowder (Joyce’s mom), Joyce Lowder and Steve Salmieri (Joyce’s husband)

Joyce Lowder, RN, a nurse in the Behavioral Health Unit at Cannon Memorial Hospital (CMH), is the 2016 Daisy Award winner at CMH.

In the behavioral health unit, Lowder works with patients who most often need someone to listen, empathize and teach them coping skills to help get them through difficulties in life. Fellow employee, Tiffany Moon, shared that “Joyce does not simply ‘come to work’ – it is not an obligation, but rather a calling to deliver extraordinary care.”

Lowder’s dedication to patient care is well known among her co-workers. She leaves individualized cards on patient pillows that provide words of hope and encouragement. She provides a daily quote to patients to help challenge their thinking and created aromatherapy play dough they can use as a stress ball.

Most recently, Lowder independently sought resources for a patient with gender identification issues. The additional information and assistance not only helped the patient, but made them feel more accepted and hopeful for the future.

“Joyce goes above and beyond what is expected on a daily basis and plays a vital role in literally saving the lives of the patients she so humbly serves,” said Moon

The Daisy Award was created by the family of Patrick Barnes, a patient who passed away in 1999 at age 33 from an auto-immune disease called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP). Patrick was hospitalized for 8 weeks prior to his death, and the nursing care that he received was considered extraordinary by the family. After his death, the family struggled to cope with the loss and wanted to do something that would honor Patrick and the caregivers who gave of themselves so selflessly.  They started the Daisy Foundation and the Daisy Award as a way to recognize nurses for extraordinary care.

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) adopted the Daisy Award program in 2012.  Nominations for Daisy awards are accepted from patients, families, physicians, co-workers and peers. Throughout the year, nursing department managers recognize those within their departments who have been nominated. Once a year, all of the nominations are given to a committee at Cannon Memorial Hospital who chooses the “overall” Daisy Award winner for the facility.

“Patients frequently mention Joyce’s kindness and compassion, as well as her obvious love for what she does,” shared Carmen Lacey, President of Cannon Memorial Hospital. “ARHS is fortunate to have such an extraordinary and talented nurse/individual taking care of our community.”

For more information about the Daisy Award, visit http://daisyfoundation.org.