THOMASTON, Ga., Dec. 19, 2025 — Registered Nurse Christine Breeden is being honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses by Upson Regional Medical Center (URMC). This national award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the compassionate care nurses provide to patients and their families every day.
Christine is a nurse in URMC’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she is known by colleagues and patients alike for her warmth, helpfulness, and empathy. These qualities were highlighted by several staff and patients in their nominations. Christine’s nominators shared:
“I am privileged to nominate Christine for the DAISY Award in recognition of the extraordinary care and compassion she provided to a patient’s family leading up to the final moments of his life. Christine demonstrated an unmatched level of empathy, professionalism, and grace that not only alleviated their fears but also allowed them to honor his passing in a peaceful and dignified way.”
“Christine came over to the Emergency Department (ED) from ICU with a student and helped us one morning. She showed us that the ED and the ICU are a team and should work together. Thank you, Christine!”
“Christine is warm, caring, empathetic, and the perfect teacher who will look for the answers and solutions.”
The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. The foundation’s DAISY Award was inspired by the care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was hospitalized with an auto-immune disease.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at URMC to receive The DAISY Award, which includes a certificate that reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” Honorees also receive a pin and a meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.
The DAISY Award is one of three recognition programs at URMC:
- DAISY Award – Celebrates nurses for extraordinary, compassionate care.
- LILY Award – Honors non-clinical staff for exceptional service.
- Sunflower Award – Recognizes patient care technicians and allied health professionals for their outstanding contributions.
Patients and their families can nominate URMC employees for these awards through online or paper nominations, ensuring that acts of kindness and excellence are celebrated across the organization. Online nomination forms can be accessed at urmc.org.
URMC congratulates Christine on this well-deserved honor. Her excellent care rooted in compassion for all is appreciated by everyone within the organization.