Kendra Pickens, RN, director of Nursing Excellence and Professional Development at Atrium Health Floyd, was surprised with the DAISY Nurse Leader Award, given to those who create an environment where compassionate, skillful care thrives.

Pickens has been with Floyd for more than 5 years.

“It really is a pleasure to recognize someone who is truly special, and you are very special," said Sheila Bennett, senior vice president and chief of patient services, who presented Pickens with the award. “You are humble, and quick to give credit to other people and not take it for yourself. You work morning, noon and night, while trying to raise four kids. You're innovative. You're always thinking about a better way to do things."

Pickens, who received the award Monday, said she is thrilled by the honor.

“It really means a lot to receive this," she said. “For people to see the hard work that my team and I put in is super rewarding. I love being able to foster a great nursing culture here and helping new nurses so they can provide the best care for our patients."

The family of Patrick Barnes established the DAISY Foundation after Barnes died from an auto-immune disease while being treated in a Seattle hospital.

Bennett presented Pickens with a DAISY pin, and a sculpture entitled “A Healer's Touch." Members of the Shona ethnic group in Zimbabwe hand-carve the sculptures.

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

If you know an Atrium Health Floyd nurse who provided exceptional care of you or a loved one, you can nominate them for a DAISY award by completing this online form.