Awards and Achievements
Methodist Women's Hospital Nurse Jill Ferguson Honored With The DAISY Award
Published: Aug. 30, 2022
After a heartfelt letter arrived at the Methodist Women’s Hospital Emergency Department (ED), team lead Jody Morris, MSN, RN-BC, CEN, knew she had to find a way to recognize one of her team members.
“People just don’t take the time to do those kinds of things anymore,” Morris said. “So I know when they do, it’s pretty meaningful.”
The letter came from Sabrina DeWispelare after she received a sympathy card in the mail from emergency support nurse Jill Ferguson, MSN, RN, following the death of Sabrina’s husband.
“I wrote a letter back because I was so moved, and I wanted her to know that she made a difference,” Sabrina said.
And because of Sabrina’s letter, Morris nominated Ferguson for The DAISY Award, which honors nurses for their extraordinary skill and compassion.
Ferguson coordinated a plan for Sabrina's husband, Dean, to receive hospice care in the comfort of his home, which allowed his wife and four children the chance to spend precious moments together during his final days.
“She granted that wish for us for the rest of our lives,” Sabrina said. “And if we couldn’t have brought him home on hospice, my life and our lives would be completely different.”
Ferguson worked full time at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital from 2002 until the fall of 2021. She started as a staff nurse, worked for a short time with informatics and transitioned into the roles of ED manager and trauma coordinator.
She also worked on call, or PRN, at Women’s Hospital since it opened in 2010. And although she now has a different full-time job, Ferguson continues working as needed at Women’s.
“I just really like taking care of patients, and even though I did go into management, I still had a desire to not lose my connection with being able to take care of patients and their families,” she said.
Morris, who has known Ferguson for about five years and worked with her for the past two, believes that the seasoned nurse is a valued asset to their team.
“We’re proud to have her in our department, and we’re lucky that she works with us,” Morris said. “She’s an incredible resource on the unit.”
According to Morris, this is just one example of how Ferguson excels at her job.
“She always goes above and beyond,” Morris said. “It just takes that one person to recognize it, but this is not abnormal for her. Jill’s always the one that you would want taking care of your loved ones.”