Kim Stottlemyer, nephrology nurse at Da-Vita Magnolia Oaks Dialysis in Hinesville, was recently honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses during National Nurses Week.
The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s ™ programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. DaVita leaders, fellow care team members and patients celebrated Stottlemyer, a 12-year veteran of DaVita, for the high standard of care she provides to patients.
Stottlemyer is a strong nurse, a mentor to all of her colleagues, and someone that doctors trust to take care of their patients, DaVita officials said. Recently, Stottlemyer went above and beyond for a patient new to dialysis. This patient was nervous about starting treatment and his mental health had declined. Stottlemyer visited him and his family at home, where she provided education to each person about the process. The patient began dialyzing at home.
Since beginning treatment, Stottlemyer has worked closely with this patient’s dietitian and social worker to ensure he follows dietary guidelines and is able to get transportation to clinic and laboratory visits. Now the patient and his family have a positive outlook toward the future.
For their commitment to respecting, encouraging and empathizing with each patient’s kidney care journey, DaVita’s DAISY award honorees received a personalized “Extraordinary Nurse” certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a hand-carved sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.”
“At DaVita, we have an unwavering commitment to nursing excellence,” said Tina Livaudais, chief nursing officer for DaVita. “Each of our DAISY recipients exemplifies this through their passionate dedication to patient care and steadfast support of their fellow caregivers. I’m proud to celebrate this achievement and the many ways DaVita nurses positively impact dialysis communities across the country.”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Barnes 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.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at DaVita are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
To learn more about a career as a nephrology nurse, visit Careers. DaVita.com.