Dedra Ray
September 2022
Dedra
Ray
,
BSN, RN
Birthplace
Prisma Health Greer Memorial
Greer
,
SC
United States
The team members have faced and are facing many personal losses this year, but Dedra has helped create an emotionally safe space by inviting the Employee Assistance Program counselors onto the unit, creating a Shout Out board, and a stress reduction coloring board.
The DAISY Award for nurses was created to recognize the compassionate care that nurses provide but The DAISY Nurse Leader Award was created to spotlight nurse leaders that “create an environment where compassionate, skillful care” blossoms. We wish to honor Dedra Ray, manager of Prisma Health Greer Memorial Family Birthplace as a DAISY Nurse Leader.
2022 has been a year of growing pains, building, tears (not just the babies), loss, opportunity, and progress for the Birthplace unit. The unit had their first Neonatal Abstinence baby, Baby C, who stayed for several months. The staff of the Birthplace unit, including Dedra, purchased items for Baby C including clothing, a swing, and so many adorable baby items. The swing sat in Dedra’s office and Baby C could be found throughout the day in her swing or in Dedra’s arms in attempts to decrease stimulation and help her to heal. I know the work of a manager is challenging but add a crying baby to the mix and it becomes even more difficult. A donation clothing closet was established for future babies with needs named after Baby C which will be a constant reminder of her time spent with her first family.
The team members have faced and are facing many personal losses this year, but Dedra has helped create an emotionally safe space by inviting the Employee Assistance Program counselors onto the unit, creating a Shout Out board, and a stress reduction coloring board. Dedra has worked nightshift to help cover times when her staff were out then would switch back and operate as a manager again during the daytime. She coordinated training for her team members to ensure continued professional development and maintain high standards of patient care to include neonatal mock codes, the state SIMBUS, new technology OBIX training, and training for the docs on new ultrasound equipment.
This year Dedra also worked tirelessly on the relaunch of a pediatric unit at Greer. She not only hired nurses to work but coordinated their training, worked with the quality department to ensure all regulatory requirements were met, and has continued to support to ensure the unit’s success. Dedra is not only an advocate for patients and their families, as well as her team members and we are proud to have her represent our team at Prisma Health Greer Memorial.
2022 has been a year of growing pains, building, tears (not just the babies), loss, opportunity, and progress for the Birthplace unit. The unit had their first Neonatal Abstinence baby, Baby C, who stayed for several months. The staff of the Birthplace unit, including Dedra, purchased items for Baby C including clothing, a swing, and so many adorable baby items. The swing sat in Dedra’s office and Baby C could be found throughout the day in her swing or in Dedra’s arms in attempts to decrease stimulation and help her to heal. I know the work of a manager is challenging but add a crying baby to the mix and it becomes even more difficult. A donation clothing closet was established for future babies with needs named after Baby C which will be a constant reminder of her time spent with her first family.
The team members have faced and are facing many personal losses this year, but Dedra has helped create an emotionally safe space by inviting the Employee Assistance Program counselors onto the unit, creating a Shout Out board, and a stress reduction coloring board. Dedra has worked nightshift to help cover times when her staff were out then would switch back and operate as a manager again during the daytime. She coordinated training for her team members to ensure continued professional development and maintain high standards of patient care to include neonatal mock codes, the state SIMBUS, new technology OBIX training, and training for the docs on new ultrasound equipment.
This year Dedra also worked tirelessly on the relaunch of a pediatric unit at Greer. She not only hired nurses to work but coordinated their training, worked with the quality department to ensure all regulatory requirements were met, and has continued to support to ensure the unit’s success. Dedra is not only an advocate for patients and their families, as well as her team members and we are proud to have her represent our team at Prisma Health Greer Memorial.