​Marcus Spears Earns October DAISY Award

ROME, Ga., Nov. 1 2022 – Sometimes anticipating those everyday needs of a patient or a family member makes the care a nurse provide even more memorable. That was the case for the actions of Marcus Spears, a registered nurse at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, who earned the praise of two different families.

As a result, Spears earned the October DAISY Award.

The DAISY Award is an international program that recognizes nurses for the exceptional care they provide patients. The family of Patrick Barnes established the award after he died from an auto-immune disease while being treated in a Seattle hospital. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The Barnes family was thankful for the care he received and created the award to thank bedside nurses for the job they do.

Spears has been caring for patients at the hospital for three years. The Berry College graduate was caught by surprise with the award at the same time his fellow teammates were holding a baby shower for him and his partner Katie Parker, who are expecting a daughter.

“I would like to think I make a difference in the lives of all my patients," said Spears. “I try to anticipate what they need and treat them with compassion."

One person who nominated Spears was touched by his friendliness and positive attitude.

“Marcus cared for my father and always had an upbeat personality. He entered the room with a warm 'Hey Buddy!' greeting. My father lit up with a smile each time. Marcus would pass the door in the hallway and say 'There's my buddy.' He made my father feel like he had a friend here. His warm friendly engagement truly made a difference in my father's day," the family member said.

Another person who nominated Spears for the award said he showed an extraordinary level of care and compassion for the patient and all family members present.

“Marcus showed tender, patient attention as he assisted my mother with getting into and out of the bathroom...not an easy task! He returned to help her again, although it caused him to remain on-duty past the end of his shift," the nomination letter read. “He could have passed this task on to the nurse on the next shift, but he selflessly served my mother's needs, and did so in a joyful manner! I am so very thankful for Marcus! He is the best of the best – a true health care hero. God bless him!"

​​About Atrium Health Floyd
Since 1942, Floyd, now Atrium Health Floyd, has worked to provide affordable, accessible care in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Today, Atrium Health Floyd is a leading medical provider and economic force. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation's leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. At the hub of these services is Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, a 304-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center. Atrium Health Floyd employs more than 3,400 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at three hospitals: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia, as well as Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health, a freestanding 53-bed behavioral health facility, also in Rome; and a primary care and urgent care network with locations throughout the service area of northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama.