It started in 2022, with the introduction at STHS of the Daisy Award to celebrate examples of extraordinary nursing.
From the start, that program proved so successful that an idea took root: What if the health system also had an award to recognize the contributions of non-nursing colleagues to its healing mission?
Now, the home-grown Sunflower Award is in full bloom, with STHS recently honoring its inaugural recipients: Outpatient Physical Therapist Kim Shockley and Social Worker Irina Sleptsova.
In addition to a bit of fitting hoopla, each also received a piece of angel artwork commissioned by the STHS leadership from Covington artist Jennifer Brett, as well as sunflower cookies from Tournesol Café and Bakery in Covington.
(Fun fact: “Tournesol” is French for sunflower.)
Congratulations and thanks go to Kim and Irina for jobs well done. Scroll down for pictures from each of their Sunflower celebrations, as well as to read their nominations.
You can also read more about the Sunflower program, including how to nominate someone for the honor, at StTammany.health/Sunflower.