LaGRANGE — Three registered nurses at WellStar West Georgia Medical Center received national recognition as recipients of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Melanie Davis, Sarah Logan and Heather Tippy are the first nurses at WGMC to be honored with the quarterly DAISY Award, which recognizes “the super-human work nurses do for patients and families every day.”

Over 2,000 healthcare facilities in all 50 states and in 15 other countries honor their nurses with The DAISY Award. DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.

All three nurses were nominated by patients or their family members.

Melanie Davis, RN

Davis, a nurse on the sixth floor, was nominated by the parents of a patient.

“Melanie clearly demonstrates what the ideal nurse would look and be like,” they wrote in their nomination. “She was his best advocate and took a proactive role in every facet of his care. She was tender and compassionate with needles and never minded asking for things that could or would make the hospital stay easier on a man with autism.

“She is not just a genuine nurse; she’s a wonderful sincere person.”

Jessica Harrilson, RN, nurse manager on the sixth floor, said Davis is indeed a “true patient advocate.”

“Melanie goes beyond every day to make sure her patients get the very best care,” Harrilson said. “She is a great preceptor and a resource for all the new graduates on our floor. She’s never too busy to lend a helping hand. She is kind, caring and compassionate as well as a very hard worker with great leadership skills.”

Sarah Logan, RN

Mary Margaret Rogers, a junior at the University of Georgia, said she went to the Emergency Department at WGMC in January when she started feeling ill as she packed up her Jeep to head back to school for spring semester.

“Instead of going back to class, I ended up being admitted into the hospital for a lung abscess,” she said. “I was devastated in so many ways; a scary diagnosis that was literally a hole in my lung from bacteria, and realizing that I would have to withdraw from classes and miss the spring semester of my junior year.”

Her treatment of intense antibiotics was necessary but made her sick with nausea and vomiting. She said her care from an outstanding team of nurses, nursing assistants and CNAs on the fifth floor helped her not only improve her health, but also give her encouragement and support to lift her spirits.

In particular, Sarah Logan, RN, stood out to Rogers. One night before Logan’s shift ended, she asked Rogers if there was any food she felt like eating. The next morning, Logan brought her macaroni and cheese.

“She told me she wanted to do that for me,” Rogers said. “I couldn’t get over that a busy mom, raising a young child, who had worked a full shift, had gone home with me on her mind.”

Rogers said Logan also educated her about probiotics, medications and her treatment plan. She also gave her encouragement about having to withdraw from school and assured her everything would work out.

“She helped me not only in the recovery process, but also made a lasting impact on my family and me on the true definition of what a nurse is,” Rogers said. “I am more than grateful that our paths connected during my hospital stay.”

Heather Tippy, RN

Tippy, a certified oncology nurse, was nominated by patient Melvin Bailey as well as by Shannon Shelton, the sister of patient Tracy Bennett.

“Heather is like a ray of sunshine every time I come to the clinic,” Bailey said. “These are the best nurses, especially Heather. She has made me her family and takes care of me as such. I can’t say enough good things about her.”

Shelton said Tippy taught her sister about chemotherapy and administered her first chemo treatment after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.

“Heather provided Tracy’s chemotherapy teaching while displaying a great smile and positive attitude,” Shelton said. “She delivered her first chemo session and was like a ray of sunshine to my sister, always full of encouragement and upbeat.”

Charlene McClanahan, director of Oncology services, said Tippy’s dedication and compassion are demonstrated in every interaction she has with others.

“In an area where bad news, sadness and grief come far too often, Heather is consistently positive and upbeat, frequently laughing and joking with the patients to create a more enjoyable atmosphere for patients and staff members alike,” McClanahan said. “Heather is always willing to do whatever is necessary to be certain patients are taken care of, and in the process, makes each patient feel valued.”

Anyone may nominate a nurse for the award, including colleagues, patients and their families. Nomination forms are available at the front desk of the South Tower Lobby or at any nursing station at WGMC.

Nominations also can be emailed to Tammy Lynch at lyncht@wghealth.org and should include the nurse’s name, your name and contact information, and a statement of why the nurse is deserving of the DAISY Award.