Special to The Island News
A patient arrived at the orthopedics floor of Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) in January with two problems: a broken leg and overwhelming worry.
Her partner had passed away a mere three months prior, and she had traveled to Hunting Island on a camping trip in her partner’s honor. Unfortunately, the patient broke her leg while there and was brought to BMH, leaving her camper and gear deserted.
Thankfully, Lisa Terwilliger, RN, BSN, a medical, surgical, and orthopedic nurse with more than 25 years of service on the orthopedics floor, was present when she was admitted.
Terwilliger sensed the patient’s anxiety and inquired about her concerns. Upon learning about the camper, Terwilliger immediately took it upon herself to arrange for its relocation and storage, ensuring the patient could undergo surgery and recovery free of heightened stress.
For this act of compassion and numerous other instances where Terwilliger has exceeded expectations, she was honored with a DAISY Award for Exceptional Nurses on May 10.
“I’m not the type who likes being the center of attention,” said Terwilliger when attendees at the surprise celebration called for a speech. “I much prefer to work behind the scenes. When I see something that is troubling a patient I want to help.”
“Lisa’s heart knows no boundaries!” said Dana Aiken, RN, BMH total joint and spine orthopedic care coordinator, who nominated Terwilliger for the award. “This isn’t the first time she’s gone above and beyond. She will help anyone, even if it means exhausting herself to do it.”
The prestigious international honor is bestowed upon registered nurses who demonstrate extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care for patients and their families.
“Truly there is not anyone more deserving of the DAISY Award than Lisa Terwilliger,” said Julie Schott, RN, BSN, department director for the hospital’s orthopedics unit and Joint Replacement Center. “She is an extraordinary nurse who is devoted to helping others. She is a nurturer who brings joy into the lives of others by seeing beyond obvious needs and showing an immense amount of kindness, compassion and empathy while finding solutions.”
Schott also noted how Terwilliger’s passion for helping others is contagious, as on many occasions she has rallied co-workers and others in the organization to take part in efforts to help a patient in need.
During the award presentation, Terwilliger received “A Healer’s Touch,” a hand-carved sculpture, along with a bouquet of daisies. As different nursing leaders took their turn explaining the meaning behind each element of the celebration, Terwilliger’s great compassion and actions to ensure all feel welcome and well cared for was a recurring theme.
In addition to her nursing duties, Terwilliger serves as a career coach for nursing students interning on the orthopedics floor, finding ways to enrich their educational experience and expose them to various medical career pathways.
“Lisa not only shows immense compassion to her patients but also to the other nurses, including the new ones,” said Aiken. “Every time someone has a problem, she takes it on as if it were her own. Whenever young nurses seek opportunities to learn, she facilitates their growth.”
Know a nurse who goes above and beyond? Anyone can nominate a BMH nurse for the DAISY Award. Applications are available throughout the hospital and online, at BeaufortMemorial.org/Daisy.
