Sovah Health – Martinsville Honors DAISY Award Winner

Dean Howerton, RN of Sovah Health – Martinsville was honored recently with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. 

Dean, who works as charge nurse in the emergency department at Sovah Health – Martinsville’s campus, was nominated by a physician who credits the nurse for demonstrating exceptional leadership judgement and consistently discerning the appropriate timing and level of involvement from each member of the clinical team. “For example, Dean pulled me aside to help urgently with a patient who was diaphoretic, tachycardic, and in distress. He accurately made the presumptive diagnosis which guided me toward accurate testing and treatment. Within minutes of administering the appropriate treatment, the patient’s symptoms resolved and he was grateful. Each night I have the opportunity to work with Dean, I feel very fortunate.” Moments like this truly showcase what an exceptional nurse Dean is.

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 auto-immune 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. 

"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, CEO 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 Sovah Health are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

“Our nurses set the standard for compassionate, patient‑centered care, and this recognition reflects the extraordinary impact they make every day,” said Shelly Cordum, Market Chief Nursing Officer at Sovah Health. “We are incredibly proud to honor Dean, whose dedication, clinical excellence, and unwavering kindness embody the very best of our profession. This DAISY Award celebrates not only their exceptional skill, but the profound difference they make in the lives of patients and families across our communities.”

To nominate a Sovah Health nurse for the DAISY Award, visit our website at SovahHealth.com/daisy-award.