NICU nurse’s compassion cited by grateful mom

RAPID CITY, S.D. (July 22, 2019) – Ashley Percifield, R.N., a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, has received the prestigious DAISY Award for June. She was nominated by the sad but grateful mother of a tiny baby who tragically could not overcome the challenges of her premature birth.

“My beautiful baby was welcomed into the world much too soon at 1 lb. 3 oz. and was immediately admitted into the NICU at Rapid City Hospital. She remained a patient for 5 months; during this time we were blessed with Ashley as one of our nurses. Ashley loved our sweet little girl as her own,” wrote the mother.

She said Ashley walked and bounced the baby for hours on end, occasionally logging as many as 2 miles on her Fitbit during a single night. When it was time to take their child home, Ashley helped them prepare.

“Sadly, after one day home our sweet girl was admitted back into the NICU. She had contracted an infection – but Ashley was there to wipe my tears and continue to watch over my baby,” the mother wrote. Early one morning, Ashley called them to say they needed to return to the NICU right away. She met the parents at the door, while doctors tried to revive the baby.

“When resuscitation efforts failed, they carefully placed our little girl in our arms and she was gone. We held our sweet baby and left in the early morning hours to contact our family,” she said. “During this time, Ashley carefully cleaned our sweet baby, dressed her in the most beautiful gown with booties and a bracelet, and carefully protected her in a cold cot until we were able to say our final goodbyes. When we were able to see her again, she looked like an angel. I will cherish those memories for the rest of my life.”

The DAISY Award recognizes the outstanding professionalism and compassion that nurses bring to patients and families every day. It was established by the DAISY Foundation in California in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of an autoimmune disease. DAISY is an acronym for “diseases attacking the immune system.” Nurses in Rapid City are selected 12 times a year for this recognition. Nurses are also honored in Custer, Lead-Deadwood, Spearfish and Sturgis. Visit regionalhealth.org/daisy to nominate a nurse.

About Monument Health
Headquartered in Rapid City, S.D., Monument Health is a community-based health care system with a mission to make a difference, every day. Monument Health offers care in 33 medical specialties and serves 20 communities across western South Dakota and in eastern Wyoming. With over 4,500 physicians and caregivers, Monument Health is comprised of 5 hospitals, 8 specialty and surgical centers and more than 40 medical clinics and health care service centers.

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CONTACT:
Dan Daly
Communications Specialist
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Monument Health
605-755-9178
ddaly@monument.health