UPMC Williamsport Nurse Recognized With DAISY Award

November 30, 2023

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Teresa Watts, RN, The Birthplace, a UPMC Magee-Womens facility at UPMC Williamsport, was recently recognized as a recipient of the DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses.

Watts was nominated by two patients who shared:

“Teresa went above and beyond to make sure that I was well taken care of throughout my labor. Although I am also a nurse, she was sure to explain everything she was doing prior to doing it. From comforting me through a long epidural insertion process to ultimately delivering my baby herself, Teresa was a phenomenal nurse through it all. Even when I became overwhelmed, she remained calm and walked me through the pain I was experiencing. No medication or treatment was given without an explanation first. I could go on and on about how well I was cared for, I can only hope my appreciation is felt. The Birthplace is a better place because she is working there and any family who has the pleasure of having her as their nurse is blessed. There are truly not enough words to describe how well I was cared for and how much I truly appreciate it. Thank you again, Teresa.”

“I was admitted after finding out that my baby no longer had a heartbeat. I was terrified, heartbroken, and upset that this was happening to me, and we had no idea what to expect. Teresa was the nurse who admitted me and provided my first shift of care. From the moment she introduced herself, I felt a sense of comfort with how genuinely caring and empathetic she was to both my partner and I and our situation. She took time to find out about us while thoroughly completing what she was there to do, answered all of our questions, and explained to us exactly what she was doing every step of the way. My comfort and safety were obviously her No. 1 priority the entire time I was under her care. She came back for her next shift and became my nurse again the next day and provided outstanding care and comfort once our daughter was born. We can't thank her enough for how she helped us and made us feel through our entire stay.”

The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 in California by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 from complications of an auto-immune disease. During his eight-week hospital stay, his family was impressed by the care and compassion his nurses provided, not only to him but to everyone in the family. They created the DAISY Award in his memory to recognize those nurses who make a big difference in the lives of so many people.

UPMC is proud to be a DAISY Award partner. Nurses are nominated by patients, family members of patients, as well as other healthcare professionals. DAISY Awards are presented to nurses at UPMC in North Central Pa. monthly. Each DAISY Award Honoree is given a DAISY Award pin, a certificate of honor, and a stone sculpture entitled, A Healer’s Touch, handcrafted by a tribe in Zimbabwe. Anyone can nominate a nurse for the award including co-workers, patients, patient family members, or physicians. To nominate a nurse, visit UPMC.com/ThankaNurse.