August DAISY Award recipient recognized for providing comfort through painful, sleepless nights

Sept. 9, 2025 -- Severe gallbladder pain left Malaya Ruble struggling to sleep during her hospital stay. Her night shift nurse went beyond routine rounds, checking in to offer suggestions to help her rest more comfortably, talking with her, and reassuring her whenever she apologized for needing assistance.

For her compassion and extraordinary care, Morgan Roberts, a registered nurse for 5 North, a unit serving medical-surgical and pediatric patients, is the DAISY Award recipient for the month of August. Ruble nominated her for the recognition.

Reid's program is part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide patients and families every day.

The DAISY Award was created to recognize nurses who treat patients and families with compassion, instill faith and hope in patients, exceed the expectations by understanding and anticipating the needs of their patients, and look for opportunities to create a welcome and special environment for patients.

Ruble was Roberts' patient during her three-day hospital stay.

"At night, my pain seemed to be worse than ever, I could hardly sleep, and Morgan was by my side instantly to help," Ruble wrote in her nomination.

The Richmond resident said Roberts went out of her way to check on her and to see if she was asleep.

"She tried everything she could to help with my pain and to make me comfy," Ruble wrote. "I kept saying sorry because I felt so bad needing so much help, and she kept reassuring me that's why she's here."

Ruble also wrote in her nomination, "She was so intuitive, sweet, and caring to me. I wouldn't have made it throughout the nights without her. She even came in to talk to me like a friend multiple times and that made me feel so much more comfortable."

For Roberts, the surprise DAISY Award celebration was overwhelming. The leadership team arrived during the night shift's huddle, a brief meeting at the start of their shift to pass information or updates.

At first, Roberts was confused by the leadership team's presence, but then she realized they were there to present the DAISY Award — to her.

"It was such an intense feeling," Roberts said.

For her, the past year in nursing has been difficult, but receiving the DAISY was confirmation of where she was meant to be.

Roberts said she told Ruble she was there to help make her more comfortable. They shared an interest in books and talked about novels.

"She kept saying sorry and I nicely told her that needed to stop. She was such a sweet patient," Roberts said.

Roberts said she puts her best foot forward every day to give her patients the best care, no matter the challenges, because they deserve nothing less.

A Connersville native, Roberts now lives in Richmond. She earned her nursing degree from Indiana University East. In August 2022, Roberts joined Reid Health to work on the Medical-Surgical and Pediatrics Unit.

"Morgan provided excellent clinical care but also comfort and reassurance to her patient," said Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer at Reid Health. "The DAISY recognizes exceeding expectations, compassion, and anticipating the needs of the patient. Morgan demonstrated this in her care of this patient, and we're proud to recognize her as this month's recipient."

Senior Director of Nursing Anna Osborn-Brown said, "Morgan knew what this patient needed to hear and provided solutions to help her manage her pain and the impact it had on her sleep. Her ability to connect with the patient, offering guidance and reassurance, demonstrates her dedication to patient-focused care."

The DAISY Award is presented monthly with the nominator, the honoree's colleagues, family members, and Reid Health leadership in attendance. Each recipient receives a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved sculpture known as "The Healer's Touch," symbolizing the meaningful difference nurses make in the lives of others.

Nominations for the DAISY Award can be submitted by patients, family members, colleagues, and community members. A committee of colleagues selects the recipient during a blind review process.

About the DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Award is part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Award was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family after he passed away from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Patrick and his family received while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.

To nominate a nurse for a DAISY Award, visit https://www.reidhealth.org/daisy-award.