Kaela Rountree, LPN, a nurse on the hospital’s fourth floor, was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at East Georgia Regional Medical Center.

Rountree was recognized for her compassion, advocacy and willingness to go above and beyond for both her patients and coworkers, according to a release from the hospital.

Rountree received multiple nominations from patients and colleagues, with each nomination highlighting a consistent theme: she genuinely cares about the people entrusted to her care and takes the time to make a difference, even when it is not required of her.

One patient described Rountree as a nurse whose compassion and upbeat personality made an otherwise difficult hospital stay more pleasant.

“Every time I rang the nurses’ station, she came to my room immediately to see what I needed,” the patient wrote. “I have never had a nurse that showed the compassionate and understanding care you provided. You have an upbeat, superstar personality and a smile that lights up the room.”

The patient also praised Rountree for taking the time to answer questions and follow through when she did not immediately have an answer.

“You took time to answer any questions I had, and if you didn’t know, you would find the answer and get back to me as promised,” the patient wrote. “You are one of a kind. You were made to be in the healthcare field.”

Rountree’s colleagues also described numerous examples of her willingness to step outside her normal responsibilities to help others.

One coworker recalled a particularly rainy day when an elderly family member was preparing to leave the hospital with a patient who relied on assistive devices for mobility. Although the patient was not Rountree’s responsibility, she immediately volunteered to help.

“Without being asked, Kaela immediately volunteered to run out into the rain, bring the family’s vehicle to the covered entrance and ensure they could safely help their loved one to the car without being exposed to the weather,” the coworker wrote.

The nominator said Rountree’s thoughtfulness and initiative transformed what could have been a difficult and stressful discharge into a safe and compassionate experience.

Another colleague shared an example involving a nonverbal patient recovering from a stroke who was preparing to return home to another state. Rountree became concerned about the patient’s well-being after discharge and took an active role in advocating for him.

She helped coordinate his discharge and transportation to the airport. When his flight was canceled, Rountree continued to advocate for him, helping contact the airline to seek accommodations. After completing her 12-hour shift, she persevered to help the patient safely reach the discharge area.

“This wasn’t simply going the extra mile,” the nominator wrote. “It was an extraordinary example of compassion, advocacy and dedication to a vulnerable patient who could not advocate for himself. She embodies the heart of nursing. She doesn’t simply care for her patients. She cares about them.”

Marie Burdett, MSN, R.N., chief nursing officer at East Georgia Regional Medical Center, said Rountree’s nominations reflect the kind of care that makes a lasting impression on patients.

“Kaela’s nominations speak so clearly to the consistency of her care and the compassion she demonstrates at the bedside,” Burdett said. “She takes the time to listen, she notices when someone needs help and she follows through.

“She shows that caring for a patient is about much more than completing a task. It is about seeing the person in front of you and making sure they feel cared for, respected and safe. We are very happy to present the DAISY Award to such a deserving nurse.”

Stephen Pennington, CEO of EGRMC, said Rountree represents the kind of employee who makes a meaningful difference in the patient experience.

“Kaela’s recognition is a wonderful reflection of the impact a caring and compassionate nurse can have on a patient and their family,” Pennington said. “Her willingness to help, advocate and go the extra mile, even when it is not her responsibility, speaks volumes about the kind of nurse and teammate she is. We are grateful to have Kaela caring for our patients and are pleased to recognize her with the DAISY Award.”

Nurses may be nominated for the DAISY Award by patients, family members, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at EGRMC.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an auto-immune disease.

DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

To learn more about the DAISY Award, or to nominate a nurse, visit www.eastgeorgiaregional.com/daisy-award-nominations.