And STHS’s Daisy Award winners for Q1 2023 are …

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Thursday, June 8, 2023

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And STHS’s Daisy Award winners for Q1 2023 are …

STHS Communication Department, CommDept@stph.org

St. Tammany Health System has a new batch of Daisy Award-winning nurses.

The health system recently surprised three nurses with the honor, and – in an STHS first – two of them are on the same unit and were nominated for the honor by the same patient.

The winners are: Savanna Faught and Taylor Rivers, both of Orthopedic Surgery, and Brittany Dixon of General Medicine.

Scroll down to see pictures of our most recent Daisy winners, as well as the nominations submitted for each.

The Daisy Award, introduced at St. Tammany Health System in 2022, is part of an international recognition program honoring and celebrating the skillful, compassionate care provided by nurses.

Anyone, colleague or patient, can nominate someone by filling out a nomination form and dropping it in one of the Daisy nomination boxes placed around the health system. You can also complete a paperless nomination form by visiting www.daisynomination.org/4174 online.


STHS nurse and Daisy honoree Brittany Dixon, second from left, celebrates her award with, from left, Chief Nursing Officer Kerry Milton, Director of Observation Cheryl Connelly and AVP Nursing Kathy Felps. (Photo by Jan Budenz/STHS)

Daisy recipient: Brittany Dixon, General Medicine
Nominated by: Marie McKneely (patient family member)

“My husband was admitted with aseptic meningitis. He had serious neck and head pain issues. Brittany not only made sure that he got his medications on time to maintain a lower threshold of pain but took the time to evaluate any increase or decrease in his movement, type of pain and pain levels. She advised us that it is easier to maintain a lower pain level with timely medication therapy than it was to try to tough it out too long to have to start over again from a high level of pain. She also advised us of how lack of any exercise while in the hospital combined with pain medication to ask the doctor about stool softener to keep things moving, avoiding adding constipation pain to his head and neck pain. 

"She was so sweet and pleasant to talk to, even when she had a full hospital area of patients that all required a lot of care. By the way, my husband is in the medical profession and is a notoriously cranky patient, (but) he was pleased with Brittany as a nurse – and to me, that says volumes!”


STHS nurse and Daisy honoree Savanna Faught greets former patient Peggy Toner, who nominated her for the Daisy Award. (Photo by Jan Budenz / STHS)

Daisy recipient: Savanna Faught, Orthopedic Surgery
Nominated by: Peggy Toner (patient) and Norman Brennecke (patient family member)

From Norman Brennecke (patient family member): “Savanna is the most amazing nurse we have ever experienced. Friendly. Available. Compassionate. My 85-year-old father was a patient for five days. My father had fallen and broken his hip. To add to the situation, my father has Alzheimer's and didn't even know where he was (much less why he was in the hospital).

“Savanna maintained contact with me during my Dad's stay to keep us up to speed on his situation and next steps. Any questions we had, she was happy to provide the answer and ensure we understood the answer. After a very recent stay in another hospital, Savanna restored my faith in the healthcare industry! Not only was she a nurse, I felt like she had become a friend. While we were happy to have Dad discharged, we will miss our interaction with Savanna!”

From Peggy Toner (patient): “I was a patient here at St. Tammany from Jan. 8-13. I came in with a broken femur. Savanna was my nurse for several shifts during my stay. She always made sure I was comfortable. She is so professional and knowledgeable for the patients’ care.

“She gave me much attention, explaining every medicine I was given. She asked all appropriate questions. If I pushed the bell, she responded promptly.

“At 71, with a crushed femur, it can be scary – Savanna answered all questions and assure me I was receiving the best of care. I never felt awkward; I knew I could ask anything.

“Savanna is an amazing example of what a nurse should be, with her professional attitude, knowledge of her job, attitude and care for the patients. I was blessed to have her taking care of me.

“God bless you, Savanna, in your future.

“There are people who go to school to learn to be a nurse, but there are people who are BORN TO BE A NURSE. Savanna, this is your calling.”


STHS nurse and Daisy honoree Taylor Rivers shows off her Daisy Award, for which she was nominated by a grateful patient. (Photo by Jan Budenz / STHS)

Daisy recipient: Taylor Rivers
Nominated by: Peggy Toner (patient)

“On Sunday Jan. 8, 2023, I was admitted to St. Tammany Parish Hospital with a shattered femur. I had surgery with Dr. Ladner on Monday, January 9. The pain was a “20” when we started. I was blessed to be assigned an angel named Nurse Taylor. She looked like a CHILD, had the knowledge of a genius, the heart of a saint. She is so professional, knowledgeable, kind, efficient, attentive and compassionate. She was my nighttime nurse for all six nights. Don’t let looks fool you. Although she appears young, her knowledge is so beyond her years.

“I was so well taken care of; I was comfortable and felt like I was in the best of hands.

“Taylor, I love you! You were born to be a nurse to care for people.

“Taylor responded quickly to my every ring. Made me feel so comfortable, always making sure to keep in contact with the doctors on my case. She answered all questions and concerns I had.

“She deserves the recognition of her work. She never had a frown – was always positive. Thanks for sharing this medical nurse angel with patients who need the extra boost!

“Taylor is the epitome of what a nurse should be and a prime representative of St. Tammany Parish Hospital.”


STHS Daisy Award honor roll

Brenda Demuth (2022)

Brittany Dixon  (2023)

Ashley Dykes (2022)

Savanna Faught (2023)

Jean Goubert (2022)

Winnie Hernandez (2022)

Jason Hollingsworth (2022)

Ashley Kinchen (2022)

Janie Keubel (2022)

Regina Knight (2022)

Ellen Loop (2022)

Madison Malaschak (2022)

Rachel Michel-Donovan (2022)

Kerry Milton (2022; lifetime achievement)

Pamela Beth Pilet  (2022)

Ashley Rivere  (2022)

Taylor Rivers (2023)

Ieasha Ross  (2022)

Barbara Tarjean  (2022)

Eloise Ward-Brumfield  (2022)

Robin Wright (2022)

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