Marissa Smith Honored With GSRMC DAISY Award

Witnessing a steady hand and prayerful heart prompted Marissa Smith’s manager to write a DAISY award nomination letter for the Center for Women and Families nurse.

That day a patient was experiencing a sudden, life-threatening complication and Smith responded with calm precision, helping to ensure the safety of both mother and baby the nominator wrote.

“She held the patient’s hand, spoke words of comfort, advocated for her, prayed with her and reassured her,” wrote Jenni Copeland, nurse manager. “Even amidst the chaos, she made sure everyone felt cared for, demonstrating the true essence of nursing.”

Copeland’s nomination letter also pointed out that Smith anticipated every need while supporting the medical team being a reassuring presence for the mother throughout the crisis.

Staff members also attested that this wasn’t a one-off but a trait that has exemplified Smith’s 20-year nursing career, most of which has been spent in the Labor and Delivery unit at Samaritan.

Smith, who originally is from Monroe, said that she didn’t grow up around nurses or even know much about the profession when she entered nursing school. But she knew she wanted to serve people.

“I liked science, and I liked people,” Smith said. “I thought nursing could be a role where I could help and serve.”

Smith’s colleagues describe her as a leader, a mentor and a source of strength. She credits her longevity to the patients she serves and the co-workers she trusts.

“I never intended to stay this long,” she said. “But I love the patient population, and I love my co-workers. It’s just been a great place to work.”

The Willamette Valley native, who started her career on the medical-surgical unit at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, gave credit to the doctor involved in the event that led to her DAISY Award nomination.

“She’s a wonderful person, and really, all credit goes to the surgeon because she saved that patient’s life,” Smith said. “In that moment, being there for the patient was the only role I needed to play.”

The DAISY Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura autoimmune disease. The care Barnes received inspired his family to create the award to thank nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patients’ families.

Patients, families and co-workers can nominate a nurse for a DAISY Award at samhealth.org/DAISY. More information is available at daisyfoundation.org.