ER Nurse Earns DAISY Award for Quick Thinking, Teamwork and Life-Saving Care

Clinical vigilance, quick thinking and commitment to patient safety earned Beaufort Memorial emergency department nurse Kaitlyn Heslin, RN, a prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses after helping identify a potentially life-threatening brain bleed in a patient seeking care at the hospital emergency room.

Heslin was surprised by nursing leaders and colleagues on Oct. 2, 2026, during a special ceremony in the Beaufort Memorial Pratt Emergency Center. There, she was recognized for her exceptional patient care, advocacy and rapid assessment skills.

A former ER technician, Heslin began her healthcare career with Beaufort Memorial about five years ago before earning her nursing degree from the University of South Carolina-Beaufort and transitioning into her current role as an ER nurse.

The DAISY Award nomination, submitted by ER patient care technician and one of Heslin’s colleagues Michelle Recchia, highlighted the frontline nurse’s actions during an exceptionally busy shift in April 2026.

While walking through the emergency department lobby to retrieve a wheelchair, Heslin noticed a patient checking in who appeared seriously ill. Rather than continuing, she immediately stopped to assess the patient’s condition, recognizing signs that required urgent medical attention.

Emergency department physician Dr. Luke Baxley conducted a neurological evaluation and expedited imaging. Scans revealed a brain bleed, allowing the care team to begin critical treatment without delay.

“This situation highlights the critical importance of vigilance, teamwork and advocacy in patient care,” Recchia wrote in her nomination. “Kaitlyn’s keen observation and initiative, combined with Dr. Baxley’s rapid response and clinical judgment, very likely contributed to a life-saving outcome.”

Heslin’s nomination emphasized her ability to balance urgent medical intervention with empathy and patient advocacy during a critical moment in the ER.

“Kaitlyn started her career in nursing right here in the Beaufort Memorial ER, right at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic. That was a tough time to start; in the medical field, we were all still learning how to cope with this new world,” explained Kevin Kremer, BSN, RN, emergency department director. “Kaitlyn has been extraordinary since. She has a great sense of humor, and while at Beaufort Memorial, she has really grown as both a person and a nurse.”

At Beaufort Memorial, extraordinary caregivers are recognized for the impact they make every day. Discover nursing careers with us.

About the DAISY Award

Developed in 1999 by a Seattle couple to honor the nurses who took care of their dying son, the DAISY Award has since been adopted by healthcare facilities all over the world.

Nominated nurses’ clinical skills, and especially their compassionate care, exemplify the kind of nurse that patients, their families and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model.

Anyone can nominate a Beaufort Memorial nurse for the prestigious honor. Applications are available throughout the hospital and at BeaufortMemorial.org/DAISY.