Community News Highlights Nursing Excellence West Jefferson Nurse Honored for Extraordinary Service

West Jefferson Medical Center recently presented its DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to Registered Nurse Clitras Prout. The DAISY Award, presented in collaboration with UnitedHealthcare, is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the compassion and extraordinary efforts nurses demonstrate for patients and community everyday.

Clitras Prout, a graduate of Charity Nursing School, has been with West Jefferson since 1999 and works as an RN in 4 West. She was recognized for her efforts going above and beyond the call of duty everyday.

"As Chief Nursing Officer, I am very proud to congratulate Clitras Prout on behalf of the entire nursing family at West Jefferson and our colleagues across the Medical Center," said Adonna Lowe following the announcement of February’s DAISY Award. "We're proud of Clitras Prout's achievements and her role in caring for our patients. Clitras inspires us everyday. We are delighted to see her honored in this way."

Each month, a nurse at West Jefferson is selected by nursing administration and the WJMC DAISY Committee to receive The DAISY Award. At a presentation given in front of the nurse's colleagues, patients, and visitors, the honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an "Extraordinary Nurse." The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people." A special part of the DAISY ceremony and award is the sculpture, A Healer's Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation 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, a little known yet not uncommon auto-immune disease. The nursing care that Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill was the catalyst for this very special program to thank and recognize nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients, loved ones and community.

West Jefferson Medical Center is among more than 150 hospitals in the nation committed to The DAISY Award program and honoring its nurses in this special way.