Ozarks Healthcare honors Debbie Walker, RN, with DAISY Award for Exceptional Patient Care
Ozarks Healthcare is pleased to announce Debbie Walker, registered nurse (RN), as the latest recipient of the prestigious DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award, recognizing her extraordinary compassion and commitment to patient care. The DAISY Award honors nurses who go above and beyond in delivering clinical skill and compassion to their patients.
Walker’s impact reaches far beyond her medical expertise - it’s the heartfelt comfort and support she offers during her patients’ most challenging moments. One recent patient shared their story of arriving at Ozarks Healthcare feeling scared and unable to breathe. During a panic attack, Walker sat by the patient’s side, offering calm words and reassurance, providing comfort when they needed it most.
“She made me feel like family,” the patient said. “Even now, out of the hospital, I think of her kindness. Debbie was my angel when I needed one most, and I’ll never forget her.”
Walker’s dedication exemplifies the highest standard of nursing, and Ozarks Healthcare is honored to have her as part of our team.
The DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California, was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Inspired by the extraordinary care Patrick received from nurses during his illness, the foundation seeks to honor nurses who make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and their families.
Members of the public, including patients, visitors, nurses, physicians, and Ozarks Healthcare staff may nominate a deserving nurse for his or her compassionate care and clinical excellence by filling out an a nomination form located online at https://www.ozarkshealthcare.com/your-visit/ or picking one up at several locations throughout Ozarks Healthcare’s hospital.
Ozarks Healthcare is a not-for-profit health system that serves more than 160,000 residents across south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. With its main campus residing in West Plains, Missouri, the health system offers a full spectrum of healthcare for all ages through its 114-bed hospital, behavioral health, therapies, pharmacies, rehabilitation, and home care services, along with specialty and family medicine clinics. Ozarks Healthcare has rural locations across an eight-county service area and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.
Lacey Carter, Chief Operations Officer (COO) is pictured with Debbie Walker, RN, the latest recipient of the prestigious DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award at Ozarks Healthcare.
