SALISBURY – Gionna Todd, RN, of TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s 3 West patient care unit, has been selected as the January 2024 recipient of the Daisy Award for her care and special attention.

Her nomination, below, was written by a patient’s family to express their appreciation for the extraordinary care shown to their loved one.

"Every once in a while, someone comes along who changes everything. That person was Gionna, who consistently displayed an incredibly warm and caring demeanor," the nomination stated.

"During the time our family member was at TidalHealth, we had the privilege of experiencing exceptional care by nurse Gionna. Her compassion created an environment that truly felt like family. Always going above and beyond, Gionna ensured our loved one received the utmost care and attention.

"I was deeply moved by her commitment to excellence and her attention to detail, even setting a personal alarm to reposition our family member, bathe him, check his vital signs and all the time comforting our family.

"Her advocacy assured us that he was in good hands and receiving the care he required. Our family will forever be grateful to Gionna. The experience has left a lasting impact on all of us."

Todd was recently honored with the Daisy Award in a ceremony before her colleagues. She received certificates commending her for being an extraordinary nurse, and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease.

The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.