Lauren Tallman Smith, RN, OB, became the 56th Blessing Hospital nurse to receive the international DAISY Award. She received the award during a ceremony on January 28, 2021.
Through the DAISY award program, patients or family members, visitors, doctors, hospital staff members or volunteers may recognize the extraordinary care provided by nurses.
Lauren was nominated by a patient. The nomination read, in part: “Lauren deserves this award today, tomorrow, and every day after. She not only is an exceptional nurse, but a deeply caring, thoughtful, and ever present person. Our family will always consider her an angel in our lives and story. Our first son came into the picture in May of 2014. Lauren was there every step of our labor and delivery, talking me through the scary epidural and hard contractions. He arrived safe and sound, and the care we received from her was impeccable, especially for our first experience. Becoming a new parent is scary, and she made the process one we would want to experience again.
Our second baby came so fast into this world, I honestly can’t remember who all was in the delivery room. But you better believe Lauren “volunteered” to take care of me on the post partum side. Another amazing experience with an extraordinary nurse.”
The nomination concluded, “On May 25, 2018, my husband and I (7 months pregnant) went into the ER to check our third baby out because I had not felt movement recently. As soon as we arrived off of that elevator, you know who was there waiting for us, our angel Lauren. I can’t explain the immediate feeling of relief I felt in my heart after seeing her and knowing she was going to help because I knew Lauren could get us through anything. She was with me when I heard the words, “there is no heartbeat.” She held me through the tears, the inconceivable pain, the heartbreak; she wept with me. She talked me through all of the steps we were going to have to go through in order to birth our stillborn baby girl. She consoled our immediate family, offered hugs and a shoulder to cry on. A few weeks after precious Laken was born, we received a piece of mail from Lauren. It was a beautiful handmade wall hanging commemorating our angel Laken and wind chimes to remember her with. Every year on Laken’s birthday we hear from Lauren and our sweet girl is remembered not just by her family but her nurse too.”
DAISY award nominations forms are located on all nursing units throughout Blessing Hospital, and on the internet at blessinghealth.org/patients/recognize-team-member.