Katherine Smith, RN named Goshen Hospital’s DAISY Award winner
Goshen Hospital is proud to announce Katherine Smith, RN, of The Birthplace, as the latest recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, honoring her compassionate care, calm presence and exceptional dedication to patients during their most vulnerable moments.
Smith was nominated by Toria Stanley, a new mother who said Smith’s kindness and steady support helped her feel safe during one of the most difficult experiences of her life. Stanley described her labor as her toughest yet and shared that Smith stayed beside her through hours of intense pain, offering reassurance and encouragement.
“When things got really bad, she never left my side,” Stanley wrote. “Even just the hugs and kind words meant so much to me.”
When Stanley ultimately needed a C‑section and no family members were available to join her, Smith stepped in as her support person. “I was so nervous and scared,” Stanley wrote. “But the nurse was right there with me, comforting me and telling me to breathe. She was the only reason I felt safe in the operating room.”
Smith also used Stanley’s phone to capture photos of her daughter’s first moments, creating cherished memories that the family may have otherwise missed. She held Stanley’s hand as she went under anesthesia and waited until she woke up to say goodbye, even after her shift had ended.
Smith reflected on receiving the award, saying, “Receiving a DAISY Award was such a surreal experience. I am incredibly thankful for the recognition, and it fuels my passion for caring for women as a labor and delivery nurse. Each time I support a woman through labor, my goal is to build her confidence and ease her fears so she can have a positive birth experience. To be recognized for what I strive to do each night is truly an honor.”
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes to honor nurses for the compassionate, skillful care they provide to patients and families. Goshen Hospital participates in the program to celebrate nurses who go above and beyond in their commitment to caring for others.
To nominate a nurse at Goshen Health for the DAISY Award, visit GoshenHealth.com/About/Daisy-Award. To learn more about the DAISY Foundation, visit DaisyFoundation.org.
