STRHS Pulaski is proud to announce Emily Zornes as the recipient of the DAISY Award at STRHS Pulaski. The DAISY Award is a national recognition program that honors the extraordinary compassion nurses provide every day. Emily’s nomination highlights how her kindness, positivity, and willingness to help create a meaningful difference for patients during their hospital stay.

Emily was nominated by a patient who described her as being full of smiles and laughter—so much so that her joyful spirit could be heard throughout the unit. Even when Emily was not directly assigned to the patient’s care, she consistently checked in, offered help, and made sure the patient was doing okay. Her presence alone brought comfort and reassurance during a time of vulnerability.

On the patient’s final day, Emily went above and beyond by being especially accommodating and stepping in to help move the patient’s belongings to a different room. Her eagerness to help and genuine concern left a lasting impression, prompting the patient to simply say, “She is the best. Thank you, Emily.”

Emily exemplifies the heart of nursing—approachable, compassionate, and always ready to lend a helping hand. Her ability to bring warmth and care into everyday moments is exactly what the DAISY Award was created to honor.

The DAISY Award began in 1999 in memory of Patrick Barnes, who passed away from an autoimmune disease. His family was inspired by the extraordinary nurses who cared for him and created the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses like Emily—who uplift patients through compassion, presence, and genuine care.

The team at STRHS Pulaski is honored to celebrate Emily and thank her for the light and positivity she brings to patients, families, and colleagues every day.

About STRHS Pulaski

STRHS – Pulaski is part of the Southern Tennessee Regional Health System, a regional network of hospitals and healthcare services serving communities in southern Tennessee. The Pulaski campus provides inpatient and outpatient services to Giles County and the surrounding area at its 95-bed, Joint Commission-accredited acute care facility and physician practices.

About The DAISY Foundation

The DAISY Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.