ROME, GA - On April 15, 2023, when a family had to cope with the death of a loved one, a nurse at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center was right there to comfort them as they grieved.

Because of her outstanding compassion, Michelle Cochran, RN, received a DAISY Award on Friday during a surprise announcement in the ICU at the hospital.

The DAISY Award is an international program that recognizes bedside nurses for the exceptional care they provide. The family of Patrick Barnes established the award after he died from an auto-immune disease while being treated in a Seattle hospital. 

“These DAISY Awards are pretty special because the nominations come from the families,” said Shiela Bennett, senior vice president and chief of patient services at Atrium Health Floyd. “When a family takes the time to nominate you during one of the most difficult times in their lives, it really means something.”

Cochran was nominated by one of the patient’s relatives who was thankful for her calming influence and kindness.

“As someone who was in another state while my wife and grandma were here dealing with grandpa dying, I have never felt so much comfort. Then, getting to this hospital when we had to let him go, and seeing all the kind things this nurse did was unreal,” the nomination form read.

“She took such good care of our family, hugged my wife when needed, provided care for my grandma and gave us goodies while we were here. The final gesture was a heartbeat printout for the family in small glass bottles. The way in which she delivered these, the care she showed the whole time was beyond anything I would have ever expected. We will never forget her kindness, ever.”

Cochran was presented with a DAISY pin and a sculpture entitled “A Healer’s Touch.” The DAISY sculptures are hand-carved for the DAISY Foundation by members of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

The nurse and her teammates were also treated with cinnamon buns, a DAISY tradition because it was one of the few things Patrick Barnes could eat while he was hospitalized.

Cochran has been working at the hospital since June, when she became a registered nurse.

“I really have no words. I am just honored. When I interviewed here, I told them that I just wanted to make a difference,” she added.