UMMC staff earn kudos

Published on Monday, November 7, 2022

Medical Center faculty and staff often are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for their academic or medical achievements. These accolades place UMMC among health science centers worldwide.

Gartrell named 2022 DAISY Nurse Leader

Every day, University of Mississippi Medical Center nurses in leadership roles make a difference in the lives of patients and families.

That group includes Gordon Gartrell, Pediatric ICU nurse manager and winner of the Medical Center’s 2022 DAISY Nurse Leader Award presented Nov. 2.  The honor recognizes exemplary nurses as part of the national DAISY program.

Established in 2000 by members of the family of the late Patrick Barnes, the California-based DAISY Foundation presents DAISY Awards to the unsung heroes of the profession. Winners are nominated by anyone in their organization, plus patients or patient family members. 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.

“The 2022 DAISY Nurse Leader Award nominees lead with conviction,” said Ellen Hansen, chief nursing officer and clinical services officer for Children’s of Mississippi. “Nurses are highly educated and skilled members of the health care team and being a nurse leader requires strong values, clear vision, courage and stamina.  Gordon Gartrell stands among these leaders as one best of the best. “

A recurring theme in Gartrell’s many nominations was “his passion for patient care and supporting his staff,” said Dr. Kristina Cherry, UMMC’s chief nursing executive.

“It was obvious early in his career that he would be a trailblazer and future leader when he won the Nurse Rookie of the Year Award,” Cherry said.

Also nominated for the 2022 award were Ann Adams, nurse manager in the neonatal ICU; Brittany Adams, nurse educator on 2 Children’s; Kristen Cherry, nurse manager at the Batson Kids Clinic; Nikki Cowan, nurse manager on 3 and 5 Children’s; Heidi Ferguson, director of dialysis administration; Kristie Foy, nurse manager in ambulatory surgery; Lee Harbour, nurse educator on 4 Children’s; Cathy Hudgins, nurse manager for the clinical research support program;

Hailey Moore, director of children’s perioperative services; Tara McBride, nurse manager in the NICU, milk lab and outreach; Amanda Sanford, RN supervisor at the Children’s Safe Center; Janet Smith, nurse manager in the Sanderson Tower operating room; Vera Smith, nurse manager in Children’s of Mississippi administration; Sherry Tims, administration house supervisor for Children’s of Mississippi; Keela White, nurse manager at Batson Primary Clinic; and Brandy Wilson, nurse manager on 2 and 4 Children’s

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Guilfoyle tapped for Mississippi College alum honor

Patrice Guilfoyle, director of communications in the Medical Center’s Office of Communications and Marketing, has been named the Mississippi College 2022 Department of Communications Distinguished Alumna of the Year.

Guilfoyle oversees magazine and news operations in Communications and Marketing and is a 2012 Mississippi College graduate. She previously served as communications director for the Mississippi Department of Education. Guilfoyle also worked as a news reporter at The News-Star in Monroe, La., and The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson.

A past president of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, vice president of membership for the Southern Public Relations Federation, and communications representative for the Group on Institutional Advancement of the Association of American Medical Colleges, she serves on the board of Ballet Mississippi.