Ozarks Healthcare Celebrates DAISY Award Winner Michelle Ferguson, RN, During Nurses Week

Ozarks Healthcare proudly recognized Michelle Ferguson, RN, of its Medical/Surgical (Med/Surg) Department as the most recent recipient of the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award was presented during National Nurses Week in honor of Ferguson’s compassionate care and unwavering dedication to patients and their families.

Ferguson was nominated by a coworker who experienced her care firsthand during a deeply personal moment—the day their grandfather was placed on comfort care. The nomination highlighted Ferguson’s empathy, attentiveness, and willingness to go above and beyond, not only as a nurse but also as a friend and supportive teammate.

“She took the time to explain everything thoroughly to my grandma and made sure we were both comforted during a heartbreaking day,” the nomination read. “Michelle showed the same passion and work ethic I’ve seen her give all her patients, but seeing it from the perspective of a family member was truly admiring. My grandpa would have loved her as his nurse.”

The DAISY Award is an international program that recognizes nurses for their clinical skill, compassionate care, and positive impact on patients and families.

Ozarks Healthcare extends its congratulations to Michelle and thanks her for exemplifying what it means to be a DAISY nurse.

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.

Michelle Ferguson, RN at Ozarks Healthcare