Inaugural DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Teams – Memorial Hospital Stone County Inpatient Unit
Our inaugural DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Teams was presented to Memorial Hospital Stone County Inpatient Unit on May 11, 2026. This team included Greg Breland, RN, Brandy Seal, RN, Emily Johnson, RN, Noymi Hartfield, RN and Michelle Rester-Butler, RN.
Memorial Hospital Stone County Inpatient Unit
Team members pictured with patient’s family
Team members pictured with leadership
Team members pictured with nominators
The family shared, “We would like to nominate Greg Breland, RN, Brandy Seal, RN, Emily Johnson, RN, Noymi Hartfield, RN, Michelle Rester-Butler, RN for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Our mother spent the last week of her life in the tender and compassionate care of nurses at Memorial Hospital Stone County. The nurses and aides were a source of comfort not only to our mother but to us. While “tenderness” and “compassion” are often used casually, these words take on a different reality when someone you love is suffering. Among the many actions that stood out as exceptionally caring were as follows. The nurses spoke lovingly and respectfully to our mother, even when she was not responsive. They took gentle care whenever they had to perform any medical or caregiving action and explained everything to mother and to us. As we were grasping that mother was nearing the end of her earthly life, each nurse was kindhearted and reassuring as they prepared us for every step along the way. We placed recordings of family music in her room and several nurses made sure the music continued in our absence, ensuring she was never alone. Members of the nursing team were her greatest advocates for her remaining at Memorial while hospice arrangements were being arranged. This prevented what would have been a traumatic move for mother and the family. Each nurse who cared for our mother that week exemplified having a “servant heart”. They cared for her with skill, experience, compassion, kindness, tenderness, and with open hearts.”
This nomination was received by The Family of Virginia Rigby (Kenneth and Debbie, Joseph and Ruth, Billy and Denise, Michael and Christie)
Thank you Greg, Brandy, Emily, Noymi, and Michelle for the exceptional care you provide our community!
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