A nurse in the Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants goes "above and beyond" to earn an extraordinary honor, while several graduate students receive awards for research presentations.
Wiser nurse's exceptional service earns DAISY honor
Jennifer Maggio, a registered nurse on the fifth floor of the Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, received the January 2017 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Maggio was nominated for the award by a patient in Wiser Hospital, who described Maggio as “an amazing nurse who went above and beyond” during a recent hospital stay.
The patient said immediately after giving birth, her child was taken to the NICU for a variety of unforeseen health issues.
“Jennifer recognized that the situation was not ideal and provided such a welcoming tone as she got me settled into my room,” the patient said. “She did so much to make me comfortable and to accommodate me, from making sure the NICU number was on my board, to having a wheelchair outside my door so I could go to the NICU at my leisure.
“When I called for Jennifer, she was in my room before I could finish my sentence.”
The patient credited Maggio for lending a compassionate ear during a time of great concern.
“Jennifer took the time to take my mind off the situation and have conversations with me,” the patient said. “Jennifer was there to listen to my concerns and fears for (my baby's) health.
“I really consider it a blessing that I ended up on that floor because my recovery was greatly helped by the calm of the floor and a great nurse who made my first night in the hospital as restful as it could be.”
Established in 2000 by members of the family of former patient Patrick Barnes, the Diseases Attacking the Immune System (DAISY) Foundation presents the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to the "unsung heroes of our society who deserve far more recognition and honor than they receive" as a "thank you" to nurses across the country. About 1,700 health-care facilities in all 50 states and in 11 other countries honor their nurses with the DAISY Award.
The DAISY Committee at UMMC reviews nominations every two months and selects up to two winners each cycle who meet the criteria for going "over and beyond the expectations of a nurse."
To nominate a nurse for the award, click here.
Graduate students' research projects earn MAS prizes
Five UMMC graduate students earned awards at the 81st annual Mississippi Academy of Sciences meeting Feb. 23-24 at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Each of the students presented research as a poster or oral presentation in the Health Sciences Division. The awardees were:
Kenji Maeda, a first-year graduate student in medical pharmacology, earned first place for his oral presentation, “Learning by Example: NFL BMI as Guidelines for Public High School Football.” Maeda's mentor is Dr. George Moll, professor of pediatrics.
Haley Pipkins, a fourth-year graduate student in microbiology and immunology, earned second place for her oral presentation, “PSKP Increases Virulence of Encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae.”
Jessica Bradshaw, a fourth-year graduate student in microbiology and immunology, earned third place for her oral presentation, “Oligopeptide Binding Proteins ALIC and ALID Intensify Virulence of Nonencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae.” Pipkins and Bradshaw are mentored by Dr. Larry McDaniel, professor and interim chair of microbiology and immunology.
Sydney Vita, a second-year graduate student in neuroscience, earned second place for her poster, “Concussive TBI Produces Blood-brain Barrier and Perineuronal Net Deficits in Rats.” Vita's mentor is Dr. Ray Grill, associate professor of neurobiology and anatomical sciences.
Xiao Zhang, a third-year graduate student in neuroscience, earned third place for his poster, “Ligand Bias in OPRM1 Receptors.” Zhang's mentor is Dr. Eric Vallender, associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior.
The Mississippi Academy of Sciences' mission is to foster communication among scientists, promote science education and provide expertise to the wider state community.