Forrest Health Names DAISY Award Winner for February

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (March 13, 2024) Forrest Health has named Shasta Terry, RN, BSN, who works as the Patient Care manager for The Family Birthplace/Pediatrics, as its DAISY Leader Award winner for February. The DAISY award, which is presented monthly to a deserving nurse or nurses, exemplifies clinical expertise and compassionate care and is recognized as a role model in the nursing community.­

“Shasta has been a manager over Postpartum and Pediatrics. During this time, I have seen great improvement in the quality of care given to our patients, as well as increase in staff/physician satisfaction,” said her nominator. “Shasta is a great teacher and supporter to her staff. She researches best practice and collaborates with physicians to implement improvement in patient care. Shasta makes sure she is present for staff day and night shift. I constantly have to remind her to stop working and go home. Under her leadership, 4FB's staff engagement improved significantly and is now higher than the standard.”

“When I first learned that Shasta was going to be the new manager of 4FB I was happy, yes, but also a little nervous. Working alongside her sister unit patient care coordinators, I knew she had a passion for her career. Also, what I thought to be a very tough exterior that could be considered intimidating to some around her, I soon realized that underneath the hard exterior there was a heart of gold, a sea of knowledge, and a passion/commitment to my unit that honestly I haven’t seen in a very long time. She has made so many positive changes in the short time she has been in her role that it makes me giddy to see what’s yet to come. I have told her time and time again that because of her I want to do better, to be better, to be the best that I can possibly be, not only for my unit and my staff, but for her. She has been my saving grace at Forrest General, and I will go to the depths of the ocean for her.”

“Thank you Shasta, for your compassion and commitment, for giving your all to make my second home the best it can possibly be, for your countless hours, for truly defining the meaning of ‘above and beyond.’ People will follow a leader with a heart faster than a leader with a title.”

Terry, who received her nursing degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, has worked in several different positions during her 12 years at Forrest General. The Hattiesburg resident did a nurse externship while in nursing school. Upon graduation, she began working on 7T, Med/Surg for one year before transferring to Labor/Delivery, where she stayed for eight years. She then transitioned into Patient Care coordinator for L/D before becoming interim and then Patient Care manager in Post-Partum/Pediatrics.

“I genuinely have a heart for people,” Terry said. “I care about people more than I do money, numbers, and other things. I was always the little nurse in the family.”

“A nurse, like Shasta, and others, who have been nominated for and honored with the DAISY Award during the past year, are an integral part of what makes Forrest Health such a caring and compassionate place for your healthcare needs,” said Phyllis Chambers-Berry, Forrest Health vice president. “I am so proud of Shasta and how hard she works to make our Forrest General patients feel appreciated and cared for in such a warm manner.”

To nominate a nurse for a DAISY Award, visit forresthealth.org/daisyaward.

ABOUT FORREST HEALTH

Forrest Health is a system of healthcare organizations formed to increase access to quality health care in south Mississippi. Forrest General Hospital is its flagship hospital. In addition to Forrest General, Forrest Health hospitals include: Highland Community Hospital, Picayune; Jefferson Davis Community Hospital & Extended Care Facility, Prentiss; Marion General Hospital, Columbia; Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home, Poplarville; Perry County General Hospital, Richton; and Walthall General Hospital, Tylertown. Forrest Health is also home to The Orthopedic Institute and Institute of Neuroscience, both in Hattiesburg, as well as a variety of healthcare clinics throughout its 19-county coverage area.