We are pleased to announce this month’s UAB Medicine DAISY Award, recognizing the extraordinary care and compassion that nurses provide for patients and families every day. Submissions and stories are reviewed each month, and then the winner is surprised at a special ceremony. Click here to nominate a UAB Medicine nurse for the DAISY Award.
Congratulations to this month’s winner: Sasha Ballard, RN! What makes Sasha a DAISY winner?
“Martin, I wanted to make you aware of a scenario that happened a few weeks ago off campus involving Sasha Ballard. While Sasha was at a local gym working out, she noticed a young woman unconscious on the ground being attended to by a UAB medical student and a UAB nursing student. Sasha jumped in and found that the patient was unresponsive and had no pulse, so she started compressions and initiated basic life support (BLS). She was able to obtain an AED and the young woman was shocked twice, initially achieving the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Then, the woman seized and lost a pulse yet again. Sasha continued CPR on this young woman until paramedics arrived and were able to relieve her. The patient was taken to UAB Hospital for treatment.
According to a most recent update from a family member, the young woman was born with a severe congenital defect that was repaired when she was an infant, and she was scheduled for a follow up appointment in the coming months. The family member also said the young woman would not have survived the EMS trip to the hospital had it not been for Sasha’s bravery and commitment to help others.
Thanks to Sasha’s efforts, this young woman is doing well with no hypoxic injuries! We are proud to have Sasha as part of the CPCC staff, and we are inspired by her bravery.”