Tristan Epps of Rayle Receives St. Mary's Daisy Award for Nursing

 Tristan Epps, a registered labor and delivery nurse in the Family Birth Center at St. Mary’s Hospital, has received St. Mary’s most recent systemwide DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence.

Epps, a resident of Rayle who joined St. Mary’s Family Birth Center in May 2023, was nominated by a mother whose baby was in a hurry to arrive.

“My son’s birth was precipitous, and Tristan acted quickly and was extremely calm under pressure,” the mom wrote. “She was the one to deliver my son, quickly unwrap the cord from his neck, and then clean me up. She helped me facilitate breastfeeding, encouraged me when my son was not willing to eat, and was quick to assist me overnight while I was alone with my brand new baby.

“She reacted with poise, quick thinking, and skill,” the nomination concludes. “I never once felt alone or adrift. Tristan, thank you for being so wonderful to me and [my son] while we were in your care. I will never forget you!”

“Tristan is a wonderful nurse and has been a great addition to the Family Birth Center,” said Jackie Iley, St. Mary’s Director of Women’s and Children’s Services. “She truly brings excellent skills, compassion and a healing touch to her patients and their families.”

About the DAISY Award

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide day-in and day-out. It was created in gratitude for the nurses who provided care to Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old husband and father who lost his fight against a deadly autoimmune disease in 1999. His family created the DAISY Foundation, which now partners with more than 5,000 hospitals and schools in all 50 states and around the world to honor and inspire extraordinary nurses. Learn more about the DAISY Award at https://www.daisyfoundation.org/.

At St. Mary's, each DAISY Award recipient is recognized at a public ceremony with their colleagues. They receive a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a stone sculpture entitled "A Healer's Touch" that is hand-carved by sculptors in Zimbabwe. In addition, they and their colleagues are invited to celebrate the occasion with cinnamon rolls, a treat Patrick would request – even though he couldn’t eat them – as a thank-you to the nurses caring for him.

Anyone can nominate a St. Mary's nurse for the DAISY Award, including patients, patients' family members, providers, and colleagues. Any nurse in the St. Mary's system is eligible, including those at all three hospitals as well as home health care/hospice services and medical group offices. The nomination simply asks you to share your story of why a nurse is special to you. St. Mary's honors eight nurses each year.