WC Missouri News

Bothwell Regional Health Center has presented the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to Mattie Mergen, a registered nurse in the hospital’s Critical Care Unit. The DAISY Award allows patients and their families to nominate nurses who provide exceptional care. Mergen was nominated by patient Ramona Mefford, who experienced complications after surgery.

“Even when I was close to death, Mattie made me feel very safe and secure,” Mefford said. “She remained calm and took control while keeping me calm during a terrifying time. She even stopped by the next day just to check on me. She kept my family in mind and checked on them, too. Mattie is amazing; her knowledge and bedside manner will touch many patients and families’ hearts.”

Mergen’s decision to pursue critical care nursing came after her husband faced serious surgical complications and she observed the work of nurses firsthand. She joined Bothwell in January 2023 and works in the CCU. Recently, she earned her certification in critical care nursing (CCRN), which recognizes advanced clinical expertise.

For Mergen, serving her hometown community is particularly meaningful.

“Rural nursing is so special,” she said. “I perform life-saving interventions on people I’ve known my whole life and then see them thriving. Taking care of a community that has taken such great care of me fills my cup in a way I can’t explain.”

Reflecting on Mefford’s case, Mergen said: “Ramona had a very scary emergency, and I was determined to help her have the best outcome possible,” she said. “I kept encouraging her to think of her children and stay awake. Her family was her motivation, and our team worked together to save her life. I waited until she was out of surgery before I left that night and came back the next day to check on her. When she saw me, she started crying and told me I was meant to be a nurse. I was just relieved she was OK.”

Megan Elwood from Bothwell’s Clinical Education department presented Mergen with a certificate as well as other gifts including cinnamon rolls, a daisy bouquet, an award pin, and a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.” A banner recognizing Mergen will hang in the CCU, and her name will appear on the DAISY Foundation website.

“Receiving the DAISY Award is something I’ll never forget,” Mergen said. “Some of the best nurses I know have earned this award. To be recognized in that same way is such an honor, and I’m so thankful Ramona took the time to nominate me.”

The DAISY Award program began in 1999 in Glen Ellen, California by Patrick Barnes’ family after his death from an autoimmune disease inspired them to honor extraordinary nurses for their care (https://www.daisyfoundation.org/). The award is now given internationally at more than 6,000 health care facilities across 39 countries and territories.

Bothwell Regional Health Center started its participation with the DAISY Award program in 2018. Past recipients include Jessica Wheeler, Shari Thomasson, Shasta Nardi, Courtney Rumans, Sarah Plante, Connie Roll, Ronda McMullin, Sarah Fredrickson, Sherri Egbert, Leslie Shapley, Seth Stotts, Stacey Nassar, Helen Fisher, Donna Cline, Linda Lower, Sarah Cordes, Reilly O’Shea, Heather Kaneko, Jenice Serrano and Emma Stone.

Information about nominations can be found at brhc.org/daisy.