Saline Health System employees receive patient care awards

After reviewing nominations submitted by patients, co-workers and other community members, Saline Health System leaders recently recognized two employees for providing exceptional patient care.

Lizz Garbett, a registered nurse, received the Diseases Attacking the Immune System (DAISY) Award for Extraordinary Nurses, and Jane Bain, laboratory information systems (LIS) coordinator, received the Be Exceptional Every Day (BEE) Award.

The DAISY Foundation established the DAISY award more than 20 years ago as a way of recognizing skillful, compassionate care provided by nurses. Garbett, a circulating nurse in Saline Memorial Hospital’s surgery department, regularly demonstrates these qualities and goes above and beyond to help surgical patients feel more comfortable, according to Melissa McKinney, perioperative director.

“Patients come to us scared, nervous and unsure, and Lizz does everything in her power to explain everything to her patients, so they feel assured and less anxious,” McKinney said. “As the circulating nurse, she is also their advocate and voice while they are asleep.”

Saline Health System recently introduced the BEE Award to compliment the DAISY and recognize exceptional caregivers in non-nursing roles. Marianne Black, clinical laboratory director, said even though Bain is several steps removed from direct patient contact, she never loses sight of the ultimate goal of providing exceptional patient care.

“Jane is the definition of a caring and committed professional,” Black said. “Without her vigilance and knowledge base, we would be hard pressed to get the right result to the right provider at the right time.”