South Georgia Medical Center honored Christine Griner, RN, with the October DAISY Award for extraordinary nursing care. Griner was recognized for her compassion and understanding for the caregiver of a patient with dementia.
Griner works at SGMC Dogwood Senior Behavioral Health in Nashville, specializing in behavioral health care, more formally known as geriatric psychiatric care, for adults 55 years of age and older. She was nominated by a patient’s wife who serves as a caregiver.
The nomination describes the caregiver’s initial flood of emotions and questions following her husband’s dementia diagnosis. She details how Griner was her “shoulder to cry on” during a very trying time in her life.
“I needed someone who would listen to me and allow me to express my concerns, worries, and fears and not be judgmental,” it reads. “I found such a person in Christine Griner.”
The caregiver goes on to say that she hoped when she called to check in on her husband that Griner would be the one to answer the phone.
“I am forever grateful for this woman that I never met in person, but whose voice and words gave me more comfort than I can adequately express,” she shared.
SGMC continues to ask patients and fellow employees to honor nurses they feel go above and beyond in their actions and care. Nominations are reviewed by a committee based on criteria that include compassion, teamwork, leadership, attitude, and skills and knowledge.
DAISY awards are presented monthly in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” They also receive a beautiful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. A special floral arrangement of daisies was generously donated by The Flower Gallery, the local sponsor of SGMC’s DAISY Award.
To nominate a nurse for the DAISY award, visit sgmc.org/daisy.