Deb Akins
CHI Memorial recently honored Deb Akins, RN, with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
A patient’s family member nominated Deb for her compassion and care during a difficult time. “She immediately took my hand and said, ‘We need to pray.’ She prayed that God would give me peace and that He would be with [patient] and asked that he not die until he had finished his purpose on earth. It was such a beautiful prayer. After the prayer, she asked me to tell her two incidents where God has answered prayer, and I did.
I immediately felt better and experienced peace and [patient] is doing well now. There were so many other acts of kindness from Deb, but this one is forever etched in my mind.”
Deb works at CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga Short Stay Unit and has worked at CHI Memorial since April 2002.
Officials said, "CHI Memorial is pleased to partner with the DAISY Foundation to recognize the extraordinary difference nurses make in the lives of patients and co-workers. Nurses are chosen each month to receive this wonderful award that honors compassionate care.
"Honorees receive a bouquet of daisies, a certificate, a copy of her/his nomination letter and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch - hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa. The honoree's nursing unit also receives a cinnamon doughnut party, because it takes a team for a nurse to achieve his/her best. Tasty Doughnuts generously donates the treats for this worthy cause."