Jacie MacMullan, a registered nurse and weekend charge nurse on the third floor Medical/Surgical Unit at St. Mary’s, has been recognized with the DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence. MacMullan was nominated by a patient who had multiple hospital admissions over six weeks due to serious health conditions.
The patient stated in the nomination, “That was a very traumatic time for me. Jacie made me and my wife comfortable with the entire process and stay. She was professional at all times yet personable and easy to talk to. She worked well with the techs when they were in the room at the same time. In addition to being my nurse, she was also charge nurse for her floor. She handled that responsibility without letting her nurse responsibility suffer.
“Jacie needs to be recognized and appreciated for her skills and kindness to others,” the patient continued. “She has an extraordinary commitment to her craft, to her career, but especially to her patients and the care she provides.”
Tina Crawford, Unit Director, commented on MacMullan’s work: “Jacie is committed to our mission of serving together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence. Although she is new to St. Mary’s leadership team, she has quickly demonstrated her ability to lead with confidence and grace. Jacie is deeply engaged, compassionate, and a strong advocate for patients. She takes the time to truly understand each patient’s needs so she can provide individualized, high-quality care. That commitment to excellence is simply part of who she is—as a nurse, a leader, and a person.”
MacMullan resides in Athens-Clarke County and began working at St. Mary’s in March 2024.
The DAISY Award is an international program that honors nurses for their skillful and compassionate care every day. The award was created by the family of Patrick Barnes after he died from an autoimmune disease in 1999; his family founded The DAISY Foundation which now partners with more than 6,500 hospitals worldwide to recognize exceptional nurses (https://www.daisyfoundation.org/).
At St. Mary’s, DAISY Award recipients are honored publicly among colleagues with a certificate, pin, and a hand-carved stone sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch” from Zimbabwean artists. Recipients also celebrate with cinnamon rolls—a favorite treat requested by Patrick Barnes during his hospital stays.
Anyone may nominate a St. Mary’s nurse for this recognition—including patients or their families—and any nurse within St. Mary’s system is eligible across its three hospitals as well as home health care/hospice services or medical group offices.
Nominations can be submitted online through St. Mary’s DAISY Award webpage (https://www.stmarys-health.org/for-patients/after-your-stay/daisy-award) or by contacting Melissa McDaniel at 706-389-3892.
