Parrish Healthcare Honors Extraordinary Nurses; Announces First DAISY Award Recipient, Perioperative Services Nurse Melissa Hamlin

TITUSVILLE, FLA. (May 9, 2025)—Parrish Healthcare, in partnership with the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation™, is proud to announce our first DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses Honoree, Perioperative Services Nurse Melissa Hamlin.

The DAISY Award®, an international recognition program embraced by more than 6,000 healthcare facilities across 39 countries, was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications from an autoimmune disease, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The DAISY Award honors the exceptional and compassionate care nurses provide every day.

Parrish Healthcare first partnered with the DAISY Foundation in January 2025 and immediately began accepting nominations from patients, patients’ families and fellow Care Partners (employees, medical staff members and volunteers).

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, during National Nurses Week, Parrish Healthcare Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Dickerson presented the DAISY award to Hamlin during a special inaugural ceremony. Adding to the significance of the moment, Hamlin’s husband, Tyler, made a surprise appearance to be a part of the celebration.

Since January, Parrish Healthcare’s DAISY Award Committee received more than 70 nominations. Hamlin received nominations praising her exceptional clinical skills, compassion, outstanding leadership and commitment to mentoring others.

During the ceremony, all nurses who received a nomination were recognized and awarded a DAISY certification of recognition and signature DAISY pin. DAISY Award nominees included: Allan Beach, Allie Maya, Amanda Baker, Amanda Puffer, Amanda Vento, Amie Walker-Black, Andrew Martin, Anna Bahr, Automn Galloway, Axelrave Dominguez, Bailey Hamilton, Bethis Washington, Bridget Sauve, Cassandra Butler, Cindy Driver, Cory Jordan, Christina Garcia, Cynthia Sluka, Dana Layne Dembowski, Denise Covert, Ellen Wright, Embily Smith, Emily Hurley, Erin Eckart, Faith French, Giovanni Luna, Haley Goehring, Heather Focht, Heather Sexton, Jackie Oliveri, Jen Hellweg, Jessie Vulpius, Jodi Lowe, Jodi May, Kaitlyn Neal, Kalob Vaughn, Kathy Julien, Kayla Schneerer, Krystal Valdes, Laurah Shaffer, Liberty Casteel, Lisa West, Lorraine Cunniff, Mandy Cockshutt, Maria Eliza Talplacido, Melissa Hamlin, Michele Rodriquez, Mona Smalls, Rebecca Blickley, Samantha Johnson, Sammantha Zarzycka, Sarah Streat, Shane Joseph, Shawanda Lacey, Yadira Wilbanks and Zarina Quintinita.

Brevard County District 1 Commissioner Katie Delaney and City of Titusville Mayor Andrew Connors attended the inaugural ceremony. Each took a moment to share heartfelt remarks, expressing their deep gratitude and admiration for the extraordinary compassion and dedication demonstrated by nurses. During his remarks, Mayor Connors presented an Official Proclamation in honor of National Nurses Week, recognizing the outstanding contributions of nursing professionals. Other speakers included Robert Jordan, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and George Mikitarian, President and CEO of Parrish Healthcare.

Awarded quarterly, the next DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence will be presented in August. To nominate a nurse at Parrish Healthcare, or to learn more about the DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence, please visit parrishhealthcare.com/daisyaward.