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Two Bermuda Run nurses were recently recognized by the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Davie Medical Center.

Registered nurse Kathy Wooten was as the hospital’s latest Daisy Award winner last month. The DAISY Award is a nationwide program that rewards and celebrates the clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day.

Davie Medical Center recognizes one of its nurses with this special honor twice a year. Each honoree receives, a certificate, Daisy Award pin and a hand carved “A Healer’s Touch” stone sculpture.

“My journey into nursing started at a pretty young age,” Wooten said. “At 8 years old, I was very excited about participating in the school talent show. I considered myself to be a talented dancer and wanted to share my talent with the world. However, I missed my big break after a fast-paced run with my dog that ended with a visit to the emergency room. My injury resulted in a week of bed rest. My dreams of Broadway were crushed.”

However, the seeds of a new dream were only just being planted.

“One very sweet and kind nurse stayed with me and consoled me,” Wooten said. “She brought me a strawberry milkshake and stayed with me until I fell asleep. Her name was Darlene, and I will never forget her kindness. Her simple gesture was so impactful. I eventually recovered from my grief and found true inspiration and the work of my life as a nurse.”

Wooten’s manager, Connie Paladenech added, “Wooten has many years of experience, and we very much appreciate her sharing it with our team and our patients.”

The next Daisy Award winner will be announced in the spring.

The Bee Award

Kendra Tallent, a certified nursing assistant, received the medical facility’s Bee Award.

The Bee Award recognizes nursing support teammates and coincides with the Daisy Award, which honors nurses.

“The Bee Award was created because, just as in nature, bees are loyal and hardworking,” a release from the medical facility said. “The bee cannot exist without the daisy and the daisy cannot exist without the bee.”

When asked why she became a CNA, Tallent said, “I decided to go into healthcare back in high school after helping my step-grandfather take care of my step-grandmother after her stroke. I found that I enjoyed taking care of others in their time of need.”

Tallent applies the Golden Rule to her caregiving.

“I was taught a long time ago to do unto others as you would have them do unto you by my grandparents, so that is what I try to do when taking care of my patients,” she said. “I do my best each day to treat my patients as if they were a family member.”

Tallent’s manager Will Parker added, “Tallent receiving the BEE nomination is not a shock. “She has a kind, compassionate heart for all of the patients she comes in contact with. We are lucky to have her as part of our great care team.”

The next Bee Award winner will be announced in the spring.