Nikki Mercadel, a registered nurse providing bedside care on the Neurosciences Unit at St.Mary’s Hospital, has received St. Mary’s DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence. She was nominated by apatient who had been suffering from intractable pain before she intervened.

“I struggled to find any position that allowed me to rest,” the patient wrote in
Nikki’s award nomination. “From the moment Nikki walked in, everything
changed. She immediately took charge, thoroughly assessed my situation, and
contacted the doctor to explain that my pain was not being adequately managed. Together, she and the doctor developed a new plan.

“Nikki took the time to talk with me, helping me slow my breathing and stay calm so the medications could begin to work. She has an incredible ability to distract,reassure, and truly connect with her patients during stressful moments.

“Nikki is extremely knowledgeable, and I trusted every recommendation and
explanation she provided,” the patient concludes. “More importantly, she clearly cares about her patients. As someone on the receiving end of that care, I could truly feel it. Her presence reduced my stress significantly, which made a real difference in my ability to rest and heal.

” Beth Ricketson, RN, Manager of St. Mary’s Orthopedics and Neurosciences Nursing Units, said the patient’s experience was one of many examples of Mercadel’s exceptional commitment to high-level care with higher-level caring.

“Nikki truly has a heart for nursing,” Ricketson said. “She is a great listener and comforter, and when she sees that a patient requires additional thought and attention, she is right there to deliver the care they need. She is a strong patient advocate, and we are proud to have her on our team.”
Mercadel is a resident of Statham and joined St. Mary’s in June 2024.