Compassion Towards Patients Leaves Legacy

The compassion that a nurse shows to their patients can leave a lasting legacy that doesn't always remain unnoticed.

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center (CNMC) chose Jessica Replogle, RN as the June 2024 DAISY honoree during a ceremony held Tuesday, June 25 at 2 p.m.

DAISY, which stands for "Disease Attacking the Immune System", was started in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes as a way to celebrate the nurses who helped him while he battled an autoimmune disease called Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP).

After eight weeks, Barnes passed away at age 33, but his family wanted to show how grateful they were to the nurses who treated him. These individuals had not only been there to help him but had provided the necessary comfort his loved ones sought during that strenuous time.

CNMC has been affiliated with DAISY for two years, joining hospitals in 33 countries across the globe.

Every six months, the hospital pools together the nurses nominated by patients and their loved ones for the dedication they show in their work. Each story is looked over by an advisory board who work together to figure out which nomination was the most significant.

"There were over 50 nominations this half of the year," said Lesly Miller-Jacobs, a patient advocate and community liaison at CNMC. "Some of the nurses were even nominated more than once."

All of those nominated were named during the ceremony so that they knew that their work was just as significant and appreciated.

Replogle had been nominated by Judy Reffner, who has close ties to CNMC through her work in the gift shop and as the president of Nason Auxiliary. However, it was something more personal that led her to recognize Replogle.

"2023 changed my life forever," she said. "My husband [Ron] suffered a heart attack on the way to church."

Coming straight to the ER, Reffner said that Replogle sat with her in the waiting room to provide her comfort. When both went back to Ron's room, Replogle explained every detail she could to her.

"She was so kind and so compassionate to me," she said. "She remained hopeful."

While in the chapel praying, Reffner said Replogle sat with her and told her Ron had passed away. She took her to the waiting room in the ICU and continuously checked on her.

"She was asking me to please eat something and asked me several questions about Ron," Reffner said. "She went above and beyond for me."

Even though she was in shock, Reffner said she recognized how much Replogle tried to care for her and make sure she was okay.

After her husband's passing, Reffner returned to CNMC to ask Replogle a question that had been stuck in her mind.

"I wanted to make sure Ron did not suffer and that he was at peace," she said. "I asked her if he was alone when he passed and she said no. She said she was by his side the whole time."

She said she was awed by the dedication Replogle showed that day.

"Being professional, yet being the person she is, it just takes a special angel," she said.

At the ceremony, Replogle was presented with a pin, a certificate, and a handmade stone sculpture from Zimbabwe entitled "A Healer's Touch."

The moment was emotional for her, as she immediately teared up seeing who had nominated her.

"Ronnie is with us today," Replogle said as she hugged Reffner when she came out to tell her story.

After the ceremony, all of the nurses and those in attendance were treated to cinnamon rolls, which is a treat that holds significance with DAISY.

"First when Pat was ill, he lost his appetite until one morning he asked for a bite of a cinnamon roll his dad brought for himself," Miller-Jacobs said. "He ended up eating the whole thing. He asked his family to bring enough for all his nurses the next day as a thank you to them."

Replogle has been a nurse with CNMC for over 18 years and is a supervisor.

"I actually did my externship here and was offered a job right after I graduated," she said. "Everyone here is like my second family."

Replogle shares four children with her husband, Bill; Reece, Collton, Dellaney, and Isabella. They all showed pride in her accomplishments and were not surprised that she was recognized.

"I see how hard she works every day," Bill said. "She deserves this kind of award. I'm proud of her."

"It is overwhelming. I mean, I know it's a smaller hospital, so I didn't think there would be such a variety of nominations," she said. "As a supervisor, I have a more limited time with patients, so for her to still recognize me, it means the world to me."

She said that all of the nurses at CNMC were just as deserving, citing them to be a phenomenal group.

"I'm proud of all of them for what they do," she said.

Reffner said she was determined to make sure Replogle's compassion was known. After getting time to grieve and putting her thoughts together, she sent in her nomination.

"I could never forget it, ever," she said. "She made a difficult process easier."

Replogle is CNMC's second DAISY Award winner. The first one was Amy Frye, who was recognized Dec. 2023.

As a DAISY honoree, Replogle will be recognized at a national level, as well. She is also given the opportunity to get a further advanced degree and discounted rates on certifications.

Since its creation, over 2.5 million nurses have been nominated, with more than 2220,000 of them becoming honorees.

To nominate a nurse at CNMC, https://www.conemaugh.org/the-daisy-award. More information on DAISY can be found at https://www.daisyfoundation.org/.

The other nurses nominated for the DAISY Award were as follows: Faith Blake, Madison Cottle, Nick Cover, Meghan Cox, Amanda Dennis, Savannah Esmaili, Amy Frye, Ashley Giarth (LPN), Nichole Gorman, Sarah Goss, Lauren Hileman, Matt Hood (LPN), Zac Imler, Brett Kasun, Ron McConahy (LPN), Velvet McNally, Emily Rossman, Jacob Rummer, Brittany Sell, Cindy Shaw, Peyton Slagenwelt, John Smilnak, Kelly Smola, and Renee Spinner.