Mount Vernon, Il (September 10, 2026) – Emily Cox, RN, of the Emergency Department at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, was presented with the DAISY Award for exceptional nursing and compassionate care.
According to Emily’s nomination, she recently responded to assist a patient whose agitation appeared to be escalating. Rather than focusing solely on the patient’s outward frustration, Emily demonstrated remarkable compassion and insight by recognizing a deeper source of distress. Through her interactions, she discerned that the patient was not angry, but grieving.
By offering a listening ear, encouraging the patient to share memories, and acknowledging their pain, Emily was able to de-escalate the situation and provide comfort during a profoundly difficult moment. Her empathy and genuine human connection transformed a tense encounter into one of healing and support.
The SSM Health employee that nominated Emily for the DAISY Award witness this instance firsthand, complimenting her for the “compassion and emotional intelligence” she displayed with assisting the patient.”
“Witnessing this young nurse instinctively connect with this patient with such empathy, patience, and dignity made tears well up in my eyes. She reminded me that nursing is not always clinical, but the ability to heal through simple human connection,” said Cox’s teammate. “Her actions reestablished for me that the nursing profession holds such profoundly beautiful moments and that extraordinary nurses continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients. I feel privileged to have been able to witness that moment.”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33; the care Patrick received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. DAISY stands for diseases attacking the immune system.
Learn more about the DAISY Award at www.daisyfoundation.org/
