Carson Valley Health Med-Surg ICU Nurse manager Melissa Lynam, ICU Nurse Sarah Key, Med-Surg ICU Nurse Supervisor Stephanie Grant and Chief Nursing Officer Andrea Highfill. Key is the recipient of the DAISY Award, an appreciation for her dedication and kindness toward patience in her profession.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Patients of Carson Valley Health’s Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse Sarah Key can expect to be treated like family and with kindness and support, which are the qualities that got her nominated for the DAISY Award.
“I take care of my patients the way I would want my family to be taken care of,” said Key.
Key was presented the award Friday with a ceremony with co-workers at Carson Valley Health.
The award provides patients, families and co-workers the opportunity to express gratitude to nurses.
“The DAISY Award is the Oscar of nursing and a really big deal,” said Carson Valley Health Marketing Director Heidi Saucedo.
Key was nominated by Med-Surge ICU Nurse Supervisor Stephanie Grant, who stated she is a role model for other nurses.
“She is a true leader within the Inpatient Unit, everyone can rely on her,” said Grant. “She is very caring, supportive and she always sees the good in everyone.”
To demonstrate Key’s compassion and dedication toward patients, fellow nurses shared a story of a victim of domestic violence Key helped admit.
“Despite the patient’s reluctance to talk about what had happened, Sarah patiently sat with her and spoke to her for some time. She encouraged the patient, telling her that she’s a good person who did not deserve to be treated that way. Later, Sarah expressed her desire to care for the patient the next day and help her open up.
She even advocated for Domestic Violence counselors to come and provide the necessary help.”
“That’s just one example of what she does,” said Grant. “She is a team player and will help anybody. She’s devoted, kind and compassionate in everything she does.”
Key obtained a nursing degree from Western Nevada College and has been a nurse for 15 years at Renown and Carson Tahoe Medical centers before coming to Carson Valley Health, where she has been for at least three years.
“I love the culture and small town feel here and I love the leadership,” she said. “Caring for people is the best profession I’ve ever had the opportunity to do, this is home.”
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