In nursing, The DAISY Award is a prestigious award that recognizes nurses for the extraordinary care that they do every day. The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize those nurses who have devoted their life's work to the compassionate care of others. The recipients of this award are nominated for their dedication to nursing through active mentoring, role modeling, advocating for their patients, and promoting the positive image of nursing. They serve as a beacon of inspiration to those at all stages of their career and in the various and important roles of nursing. We are proud to honor Peggy Millinor with this prestigious award. 

Peggy’s influential career has resulted in an immeasurable impact across Wellstar Health System and the community it serves. She has worked in the hospital setting, an office setting as an after-hours triage, as well as in the public health sector. 

One of the highlights of Peggy’s career was when she was asked to come to Paulding and prepare to open the very first pediatric emergency department in the community. Knowing that having a pediatric-focused Emergency Department would be available for pediatric emergency care close to home would make such an impact on this quickly growing community. The positive impact this pediatric emergency department has had on pediatric patients and parents is difficult to measure. This impact can be seen in year-over-year patient volume growth and excelling patient experience scores. Peggy has maintained an engaged and talented pediatric staff that is truly dedicated to the community that they serve. 

Peggy has served her community as a valuable resource within the clinical setting, but also as a representative of Wellstar on many pediatric boards in the community. She has been engaged with Paulding Family Connections, Drug-Free Paulding, Paulding Domestic Violence Council, Paulding Advisory Council, and Safe Kids Cobb to name a few.  She has been vital in community outreach initiatives that save lives, such as stop the bleed and helmet drives. Additionally, she has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for DFACS where she was able to advocate for those that were unable to do so themselves.

Peggy’s extensive knowledge of pediatrics has made her a valued and integral resource in growing the pediatric outreach that Wellstar is known for today. Her fierce advocacy assures that we always put children first and do what is best for our tiniest community members. 

She has been a mentor to so many growing leaders and seasoned pediatric nurses. The impact that she has made on the nursing profession is truly immeasurable. 

Peggy has not only supported all the patients that she serves but has served as our pediatric “resident expert”. She is the “go-to” for all team members when they are concerned about their children’s health and well-being. She has a distinct way of calming fears and providing expert direction. 

Over the years, Peggy has been recognized numerous times for her leadership by the pediatric network, Nursing Excellence, AJC, The DAISY Foundation, and as a Wellstar trusted leader. As Peggy retires, she will be missed not only in the pediatric community but as a leader, mentor, and friend to the nurses, providers, and colleagues within Wellstar. Thank you to Peggy for her lifetime dedication to nursing with 28 of those years being with Wellstar. We are honored to recognize her with the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award for her servitude to not only the pediatric community but the nursing profession.

Note: This is Peggy's 2nd DAISY Award!