The public is invited to Greene County Medical Center’s first-ever DAISY Award ceremony this Thursday.

The DAISY Award recognizes the superhuman efforts nurses perform everyday.  It started 15 years ago at other health care facilities to honor the memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died in 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).

Greene County Medical Center’s Chief Nursing Executive Katie Heldt wanted to recognize nurses at the medical center as well with a bi-annual DAISY Award.

Through nominations by patients, their families, caretakers, community members and co-workers, 13 nurses were chosen as the first-ever nominees for the award at the medical center.  Each department at the hospital is represented by the 13 nominees.

At the ceremony on Thursday, August 21st 10am, the 13 nominees will be recognized and the winner of the DAISY award will be announced.  The recipient will get a certification acknowledging their dedication to nursing and a handcrafted sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch” will be given from the Shona Tribe in Africa.

The event is free and open to the public.