Exceptional nurse recognized by patient's daughter at Fawcett Hospital

Port Charlotte, FL — Jill McFarland, registered nurse in the intensive care unit at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital, was recently recognized as a DAISY award recipient. The DAISY Award is a national recognition for extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families.

Jill was nominated by a patient’s family member who said, “Jill cared for my mother effortlessly, always wearing a smile and gently providing explanations prior to procedures and care. In the morning when returning to the hospital, I would find Jill in my mother’s room, talking and compassionately caring for my mother. I am a nurse. I know the challenges of nursing and needs of clients. I currently am a Dean of Nursing of 1,200 undergraduate nursing students. I plan to share of our experience with Jill, her level of professionalism and genuine compassion for my mother. Jill saw my mother as a person; not a diagnosis. I hope to impress on our future nursing workforce the impact Jill had on my mother and family during an extremely difficult time. Jill possesses the true qualities of a nurse!”

HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital distributes the award in partnership with The DAISY Foundation, which was formed in 1999 to honor the memory of J. Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old man who died of complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Barnes’ family was moved by the care they received from his nurses and wanted to recognize them to preserve his memory. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.

The DAISY Award recipients exemplify HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital’s dedication to the exceptional patient experience. These nurses consistently go above and beyond to provide compassionate, high quality care to their patients. Patients and families can nominate a nurse for the DAISY Award here or at the HCA Florida Healthcare website.