Phoebe Nurse Honored with DAISY Award Following Four Nominations in Two Months

Albany, GA | April 24, 2025 – Loretta Mack, a dedicated member of the Phoebe Family who began her nursing career at the age of 69, has been awarded the DAISY Award for the Month of April at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (PPMH), recognizing her exceptional care and dedication as an extraordinary nurse. The DAISY Award celebrates the compassionate and skillful care provided by nurses around the world who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Multiple patients and their families shared stories of how Loretta’s actions made a significant impact during their hospital visits. One nominator praised Loretta for her ability to balance humor and excellent care, stating, “Miss Loretta went above and beyond during our visit. She went out of her way to reassure my wife and balanced making us laugh while also providing great care.”

Another nominator highlighted Loretta’s caring nature and availability, saying, “She was very caring and always available when my mom needed her. Very knowledgeable and compassionate.”

“Mrs. Mack was one of the nurses I saw daily, and she showed so much concern about me. I really appreciate her. She stayed checking in on me,” said another nominator after expressing the deep appreciation for Loretta’s concern and attentiveness.

The fact that Loretta received four separate DAISY nominations over the last two months highlights her dedication to her patients and the consistency of the extraordinary care she provides.

“She was a very nice nurse and had a great personality. She was always checking on me and asking if I needed anything,” said the fourth nominator.

Loretta joined the Phoebe Family in 2014 as a housekeeper. Several years later, she began working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). With the encouragement of her family and colleagues, she took advantage of Phoebe’s employee education assistance program to go back to college, eventually graduating from the nursing program at Albany State University in December 2023 at the age of 69. Last year, she began working as a registered nurse in the same unit where she previously served as a CNA.

“While Loretta may officially be new to the nursing profession, she has been caring for people for many years. She is a wonderful example to our younger nurses and is a true inspiration, proving it is never too late to pursue your dreams. We are so fortunate to have Loretta as a member of our nursing team at Phoebe,” said Maureen Jackson, BSN, PPMH Chief Nursing Officer.

Phoebe is committed to recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary efforts of our nurses. The DAISY Award is a testament to the dedication and excellence demonstrated by our nursing staff. We encourage patients, families, and colleagues to continue nominating deserving nurses for this prestigious award.

The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died of complications of an autoimmune disease at the age of 33. To nominate a Phoebe nurse, visit https://phoebehealth.com/nursing/daisy-award/