Courtney MacDonald, RN, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, recently received a DAISY Award for Excellence for her empathy, respect and calm presence with patients, their families and her colleagues.
According to the nomination, MacDonald consistently ensures that every patient’s dignity and emotional well-being remain priorities, even during the busiest shifts. Her blend of clinical expertise, kindness and advocacy sets a high standard on the unit, and her colleagues view her as a model for maintaining grace under pressure.
The nomination included an example of her advocacy for a patient scheduled for a tracheostomy. Despite competing demands, MacDonald reassessed the patient and recommended an extubation trial. Because of her intervention, the patient successfully came off the ventilator and was able to communicate with loved ones.
