Forrest Health Names DAISY Award Winner for October
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (November 8, 2024) Forrest Health has named Olivia Luethje, RN, Pediatrics, as its October DAISY Award winner. The DAISY award, which is presented monthly to a deserving nurse or nurses, exemplifies clinical expertise and compassionate care and is recognized as a role model in the nursing community.
Olivia’s nominator, a nurse with 37 years of experience, said Olivia is “a highly-skilled nurse who has a gift of extraordinary communication. “In addition to this, she also has an impressive ability to maintain a positive attitude and remain calm in the most stressful situations,” the nominator said. “The way she interacts with her patients and her ability to handle stressful encounters is a sight to behold. I recently had the opportunity to work alongside Olivia and witnessed first-hand her skills in action.
During a very busy late afternoon, we received multiple admissions, one of which, was very medically complex. The family had done a wonderful job caring for the patient at home providing around the clock total care. At the time of the initial encounter, it was clear that the family was overwhelmed, exhausted and scared. I witnessed Olivia communicating with the family in the most positive way. She acknowledged and validated the family’s feelings and truly listened to each of their firm requests. She took extra time with the patient’s family to reinforce her attentiveness and justified each one of their concerns and requests. She kindly affirmed that they had the right to make their requests and advocate for this patient. Through these exceptional communication skills, she earned the family’s respect and more important, their trust in her and the care that she would be providing.
“During my 30-year career as I nurse, I have worked with many extraordinary nurses. Olivia’s ability to maintain such a positive attitude on most challenging days is unmatched. I am so impressed with the way she works with others, never wavering from taking the time to utilize her exceptional ability to communicate with her patients and their family. She is a joy to work with and a true blessing to her patients and their families. Olivia is a true testament of what an extraordinary nurse should be.”
Luethje, who received her degree from The University of Southern Mississippi, has been employed at Forrest General for four years. The Hattiesburg resident said she chose the healthcare field because her mother was a nurse. “I saw the commitment and care she gave to her patients, and I wanted to live up to that legacy,” Olivia said.
“We are so proud of Olivia,” said Kim Reddish, RN, MSN, CENP, CCRN (alum), Forrest General Hospital Chief Nursing Officer/vice president. “She is a wonderful representation of how the DAISY award was envisioned by the founders of the organization. Forrest General is proud to have such an extraordinary nurse integrated into the team.”
To nominate a nurse for a DAISY Award, visit forresthealth.org/daisyaward.
ABOUT FORREST HEALTH
Forrest Health is a system of healthcare organizations formed to increase access to quality health care in south Mississippi. Forrest General Hospital is its flagship hospital. In addition to Forrest General, Forrest Health hospitals include: Highland Community Hospital, Picayune; Jefferson Davis Community Hospital & Extended Care Facility, Prentiss; Marion General Hospital, Columbia; Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home, Poplarville; Perry County General Hospital, Richton; and Walthall General Hospital, Tylertown. Forrest Health is also home to The Orthopedic Institute and Institute of Neuroscience, both in Hattiesburg, as well as a variety of healthcare clinics throughout its 19-county coverage area.
