Phoebe Nurse Honored with DAISY Award for Extraordinary Compassion and Patient Advocacy

Albany, GA | July 24, 2026 – Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is proud to recognize Carley Rice, RN, of the Digestive Disease Center (DDC), as the hospital’s June 2026 DAISY Award recipient, a national recognition honoring nurses who demonstrate extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care.

Carley was nominated by a patient who experienced firsthand the profound difference a compassionate nurse can make during a time of anxiety and uncertainty. While preparing for a medical procedure, the patient was feeling extremely nervous and nauseous. Although Carley was not originally assigned as the patient’s pre-operative nurse, she noticed the patient’s distress and immediately stepped in to offer support.

From the moment she entered the room, Carley recognized the patient’s anxiety and discomfort and took action to help ease both. She listened attentively, offered reassurance, and advocated for the patient’s needs by requesting medication to help manage nausea before the procedure. Throughout the experience, her focus remained on ensuring the patient felt safe, comfortable, and cared for.

In the DAISY Award nomination, the patient described the impact Carley had during one of the most vulnerable moments of her healthcare journey.

“From the moment she walked into my room, she went above and beyond to make me feel safe, cared for and comfortable during an anxious time. I was nervous and nauseous, and she immediately recognized it. She took the time to make sure I felt heard and supported every step of the way. In recovery, when I was feeling sick and completely out of it, she never made me feel like a burden. She checked on me constantly, advocated for me and made sure I was as comfortable as possible before and after my procedure,” the nominator wrote.

The patient noted that what stood out most was Carley’s attentiveness and compassion, especially because she was not initially assigned to provide care.

“Healthcare can feel rushed at times, but from the moment she walked in the room, she treated me like more than just another patient on the schedule. She advocated for me, checked on me constantly, and made sure I felt respected and supported. In a moment where I felt vulnerable and completely out of control, she gave me comfort, dignity and peace,” the patient shared.

The nomination emphasized that while technical and clinical skills can be taught, genuine compassion comes from the heart.

“You can teach clinical skills, but you cannot teach the kind of compassion and heart that Carley naturally carries. People may forget procedures and hospital visits over time, but they never forget how someone made them feel during their most vulnerable moments. Because of her care, I left feeling supported, respected, pain-free and as nausea-free as possible,” the nominator added.

The consistent theme throughout the nomination is clear: Carley embodies the very best qualities of nursing. Her ability to recognize a patient’s needs, advocate for their comfort, and provide extraordinary emotional support turned a stressful experience into one marked by trust, dignity and compassionate care.

“Carley exemplifies what it means to put patients first. Her ability to recognize when a patient needs reassurance, comfort, and advocacy and then respond with genuine compassion demonstrates the extraordinary impact nurses have every day. Carley didn’t simply provide excellent clinical care; she made a patient feel seen, heard, and valued during a vulnerable moment. That level of kindness and dedication is exactly what the DAISY Award was created to recognize,” said Maureen Jackson, Chief Nursing Officer for Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors the extraordinary work nurses do for patients and families every day.

Phoebe remains committed to recognizing the outstanding contributions of nurses who make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and families. If you know a deserving Phoebe nurse, visit www.phoebehealth.com/nursing/daisy-award to submit a nomination.