Joy Simmons
November 2025
Joy
Simmons
,
RN, CLC, IBCLC
Medical/Surgical
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Gainesville
,
GA
United States
Joy’s courage, empathy, and unwavering dedication make her a shining example of what this profession stands for.
I am honored to nominate Joy Simmons, RN, for the DAISY Award. Joy is the very heart of compassionate nursing. Her gentle spirit, unwavering honesty, and calming presence have made her a source of comfort and hope for countless patients on our oncology unit.
Recently, Joy cared for a patient facing a terminal diagnosis. He was overwhelmed with anger, fear, and mistrust—often lashing out at the care team, refusing help, and expressing his pain through harsh words and threats. Many struggled to reach him, but Joy saw beyond the anger. She saw a person in pain and met him with grace.
One day, during an especially tense moment, Joy stood quietly in his room as he yelled. She looked him in the eyes and said softly, “I will always be honest with you. I will never lie to you, no matter what.” Her words, spoken with sincerity and strength, stopped him in his tracks. He looked at her, visibly moved, and said no one had ever told him that before. From that moment, something remarkable happened: he began to trust her. He allowed care, not just because of what she said, but because of how she made him feel: seen, respected, and safe.
Over the next several shifts, Joy continued to care for him. While he remained guarded with others, he welcomed Joy with calm and trust. Her ability to build that bridge in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to her extraordinary heart and skill.
As his life drew to a close, he refused hospice care. His wife, emotionally overwhelmed, could not stay with him in his final moments and left. Joy recalls how he reached out, touched her, and pleaded, “Please don’t let me die alone.” Joy honored his wish. She stayed by his side, holding his hand, ensuring his comfort, and advocating for him until his very last breath. In those sacred moments, Joy gave him what every human deserves: dignity, peace, and the reassurance that he was not alone.
Joy’s actions reflect the true spirit of the DAISY Award—extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and a deep commitment to human dignity. She reminds us that nursing is not only about treating illness but about touching lives in their most vulnerable moments. Joy’s courage, empathy, and unwavering dedication make her a shining example of what this profession stands for. She is not just a nurse—she is a healer, a comforter, and a beacon of hope.
Recently, Joy cared for a patient facing a terminal diagnosis. He was overwhelmed with anger, fear, and mistrust—often lashing out at the care team, refusing help, and expressing his pain through harsh words and threats. Many struggled to reach him, but Joy saw beyond the anger. She saw a person in pain and met him with grace.
One day, during an especially tense moment, Joy stood quietly in his room as he yelled. She looked him in the eyes and said softly, “I will always be honest with you. I will never lie to you, no matter what.” Her words, spoken with sincerity and strength, stopped him in his tracks. He looked at her, visibly moved, and said no one had ever told him that before. From that moment, something remarkable happened: he began to trust her. He allowed care, not just because of what she said, but because of how she made him feel: seen, respected, and safe.
Over the next several shifts, Joy continued to care for him. While he remained guarded with others, he welcomed Joy with calm and trust. Her ability to build that bridge in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to her extraordinary heart and skill.
As his life drew to a close, he refused hospice care. His wife, emotionally overwhelmed, could not stay with him in his final moments and left. Joy recalls how he reached out, touched her, and pleaded, “Please don’t let me die alone.” Joy honored his wish. She stayed by his side, holding his hand, ensuring his comfort, and advocating for him until his very last breath. In those sacred moments, Joy gave him what every human deserves: dignity, peace, and the reassurance that he was not alone.
Joy’s actions reflect the true spirit of the DAISY Award—extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and a deep commitment to human dignity. She reminds us that nursing is not only about treating illness but about touching lives in their most vulnerable moments. Joy’s courage, empathy, and unwavering dedication make her a shining example of what this profession stands for. She is not just a nurse—she is a healer, a comforter, and a beacon of hope.