‘Alexis is our literal Reid angel’: July’s Daisy recipient honored for going beyond taking life-saving actions to providing care with compassion

Aug. 5, 2025 -- From around the corner, Alexis Abernathy-Hobson wasn't prepared for the crowd that greeted her at the nurses' station in Reid Health's Critical Care Unit (CCU).

Questioning why so many people would be gathered there, she began recognizing the many faces of those who love and support her - from the Reid team to family members - and then spotted one particular face in the middle that brought tears of recognition.

"You look so good," Abernathy-Hobson said behind hands wiping away tears.

Standing in greeting was Joe Toler, her former patient.

"And I feel so good. I sure look a lot better than the last time too," Toler said.

With his voice full of quiet emotion, he thanked Abernathy-Hobson not only for the care she provided but for the comfort she gave him and his family.

"I'll tell you, that prayer you said with my family beside me at the bed, when I heard that, it just blessed my heart more than words can ever say," Toler said.

The reunion was part of a surprise ceremony to recognize Abernathy-Hobson, a registered nurse in the CCU, as the DAISY Award recipient for the month of July.

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 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.

It was in May when the Connersville resident was admitted to the CCU, and then everything changed.

He experienced cardiac arrest — a sudden, life-threatening event that left him unresponsive and required immediate action. Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating. It can occur without warning in people with or without known heart conditions, following other symptoms, or it could happen unexpectedly.

Abernathy-Hobson recognized the signs of cardiac arrest and responded without hesitation.

Holly Griffin, Toler's daughter, nominated Abernathy-Hobson for the DAISY Award for her exceptional care and the compassion she showed during and after the emergency.

"Alexis is our literal Reid angel," Holly Griffin, DAISY Award nominator

"Because of her quick thinking and reaction, we didn't lose him for long. She was very humble, but she truly saved my dad's life.

"It was the very end of her shift, but she stayed to talk with our family, offer encouragement, and let us know they got him back. She's been so kind and informative throughout his stay."

In her nomination, Griffin continued, "I just don't see how she couldn't be the recipient of this award after everything she has done for our family these last couple of days and continues to do now as his stay continues. Everyone has been great in the CCU, but Alexis is exceptional."

After Toler was moved to a different room, the family asked their new nurse if Abernathy-Hobson was on shift because he was finally awake after a week on the ventilator, she wrote.

"She (Alexis) came by, my sister was there with my dad, and she said it was a very emotional moment. My dad wanted the opportunity to thank her for saving his life. We just loved her."

Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer at Reid Health, welcomed the Tolers and guests to celebrate with Abernathy-Hobson.

"Alexis, we're incredibly grateful for the care and compassion you bring to your role every day. It's a pleasure to have you on our team and to celebrate this well-deserved recognition with you," Foust-Cofield said.

At the ceremony, Griffin again thanked Abernathy-Hobson for going beyond providing life-saving care for her father to provide comfort and reassurance for the family.

"You were there to hug us and tell us, 'He's going to be OK.' You stayed after your shift just to sit with us and to make sure we were OK. I know it probably gets monotonous coming in every day, but like Dad said, you changed our lives, and we're grateful for that.

"You're the reason why he's here," Griffin said.

Abernathy-Hobson was Toler's nurse for several days in a row, forming a connection of trust between each other and his family.

"Just experiencing the DAISY today, I was very surprised," Abernathy-Hobson said.

"In that moment, I felt not only surprised but deeply honored, which contributed to the intense emotion I experienced — and that others saw.

"It's incredibly emotional because of everything Joe and his family went through, but knowing he's on his way to recovery, it's something to celebrate. I'm just so thankful.

"I feel like the vulnerability you have to have with the families — and they have to have with you — you don't have another option but to become close fast. Even though it was a hard experience for them, Joe's family was so kind and gracious. It means a lot to see a positive outcome, and we don't always get that."

Abernathy-Hobson has a personal routine rooted in faith and the strength of community that serves as a reminder that healing involves more than medicine.

"Every morning on my way to work, I say the same prayer: 'Dear Lord Jesus, please prepare my hands for war and my fingers for battle. In Jesus' name, Amen,'" Abernathy-Hobson said.

"It's both a declaration of faith and a reminder of the power of words — life and death are in words. While I might have responded physically to Joe's medical needs, alongside my amazing CCU team, his healing stands as a testimony to the power of Joe's faith."

Abernathy-Hobson started as a Medical Assistant at Reid Urgent Care in June 2017. In February 2020, she transferred to the CCU as a Student Nurse Technician after finishing her associate degree in nursing at Ivy Tech Community College.

She became a registered nurse in May 2021 and has also worked as a charge nurse in the CCU. She's currently enrolled at Indiana University East, working toward her RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Originally from New Madison, Ohio, Abernathy-Hobson lives in Centerville, Indiana, with her husband and son.

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 auto-immune 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.