[Vickie Garmon receives a plaque for being named Cherokee Medical Center’s Patient Choice Award winner from Alice Parker, Interim Chief Nursing Officer]

Vickie Garmon, a registered nurse at Cherokee Medical Center, has been named the 2014 Patient Choice Award winner.

Interim Chief Nursing Officer Alice Parker presented Ms. Garmon with the honor at a May 23 reception at CMC. During the month of May, National Nurses Day is celebrated, a time when nurses across the country are recognized for their tireless commitment to the profession.

Garmon was selected from several nurses, all nominated by former patients who had been admitted for care in the past year.

[CMC Patient Choice Award Nominees Renee Chesnut, Lana Whorton, Sheri Rosser, and Vickie Garmon]

Nominations were solicited based on nurses who had gone “above and beyond the call of duty” for their patients. Other nominations include Renee Chesnut, RN; Lana Whorton, RN; and Sheri Rosser.

Nominations for Garmon called her “very attentive, genuine, respectful, courteous, pleasant, and professional.”

Nominations for Garmon spoke to her continued commitment to quality patient care.

“Vickie has been my mother’s nurse on several occasions and she has been wonderful.  My mother always asks for her (Vickie) when she has to go in (the hospital). My mother is NOT easy to satisfy, and not many have been able to do it, but Vickie has from day one.  She does it with respect and courtesy.  She is great with patients and doing her job.  My mother brags on her (Vickie’s) ability to put her IV in without difficulty and pain,”  read one nomination.

Chief Executive Officer Jay Hinesley echoes this sentiment, stating that Vickie’s name often comes up when he visits patients.  “Vickie is recognized many times for going above and beyond her duties and it is a real honor to present this prestigious award to such a deserving nurse.”

Hinesley adds that it was a difficult decision to make among the nominations and that he is proud of all of the nurses for their hard work and dedication to caring for their patients.