Kimberly Johnson-Bradford, a registered nurse and case manager for St. Mary's Hospice Services in Georgia, has exactly that – a healer’s touch. Kimberly is the most recent recipient of St. Mary’s system-wide DAISY Award for nursing excellence.
In presenting the award, DAISY Award Committee Chair and Director of Orthopedics Ann Gomes noted the committee was especially moved by the compassionate care they saw reflected in Kimberly's nomination, which was submitted by a patient's daughter.
"As things began getting closer to the end of life, Kimberly not only cared for mom but counseled and encouraged me as the caregiver," the nomination describes. "It was like she was part of our family."
“The care Kimberly gave to this patient and their family was what anyone would want as the end of life nears,” Ann said. “She has a heart of gold that is ideally suited for the special kind of care required in hospice nursing.”
Kimberly joined St. Mary's two years ago through a unique journey. She grew up in Atlanta where she was the first African-American player on the first female soccer team in the Atlanta public school system. She attended the University of Georgia and then served as an Athens-Clarke County police officer for 12 years before exchanging a badge for a stethoscope and becoming a registered nurse.
Today, Kimberly lives in Athens. She is married and a proud mother of two girls and adores her 5-year-old granddaughter.
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide day-in and day-out.
Anyone can nominate a St. Mary's nurse for the DAISY Award, including patients, patients' family members, providers, or colleagues. The nomination simply asks you to share your story of why a nurse is special to you. St. Mary's honors eight nurses each year. For a nomination form, please call Melissa McDaniel 706-389-3890 ext. 3.