WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital has named Melissa Sothen, RN, as the recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, recognizing her compassionate care, clinical excellence and meaningful impact on patients and families.
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors nurses who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care. The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California, was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 in 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an auto-immune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses inspired the award program.
Sothen was nominated by a patient whose experience during a challenging time was shaped by the nurse’s kindness, patience and support.
According to the nomination, the patient had recently learned she was experiencing gestational diabetes and arrived for her appointment feeling overwhelmed, anxious and uncertain. From the start, Sothen created a sense of calm and reassurance, greeting the patient warmly, acknowledging her emotions and providing education in a thoughtful, unhurried manner.
Rather than rushing through the appointment, Sothen offered steady guidance, explained the condition clearly and reassured the patient that it was not her fault and that she was not alone in navigating the diagnosis.
“Thanks to her support, I left that appointment with a sense of clarity and empowerment. I had the tools and knowledge I needed, but more importantly, I had hope,” the patient wrote in the nomination. “It was the first healthcare experience I’d had where I didn’t feel like just another patient. Her care made a difference in a moment I will never forget.”
“Melissa exemplifies the heart of nursing,” said Karla Tucker, chief nursing officer and director of nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “She meets patients exactly where they are — with empathy, professionalism and genuine compassion. Her ability to listen, educate and provide comfort during some of life’s most vulnerable moments truly reflects our mission.”
St. Joseph’s also recognized other DAISY Award nominees for their exceptional care: Danielle Anderegg, RN; Delainey Briske, RN; Benjamin Hart, RN; Abbie Markley, RN; and Kimberly Sparks, RN.
Sothen was celebrated during a special recognition presentation, where she received a DAISY Award Honoree certificate and commemorative pin.
To learn more about the DAISY Foundation, visit DAISYfoundation.org.
- The DAISY Award nominees
