Melissa Tuggle, LPN, Honored with DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH) is proud to recognize Melissa Tuggle, LPN, as a DAISY Award® recipient for her outstanding dedication to patient care, leadership, and mentorship on the Medical Unit.

The DAISY Award, an internationally recognized honor, celebrates nurses who go above and beyond in providing compassionate, high-quality care. Melissa was selected as a quarterly DAISY Award honoree by LCRH’s nurse leadership team after being nominated by patients and families who have witnessed her exceptional dedication firsthand.

Melissa has been a valued member of the LCRH team for nearly three years, beginning as a contract nurse before transitioning to a full-time role. She is currently advancing her career through the LPN to RN program, reflecting her commitment to professional growth and excellence in nursing.

As a unit preceptor, Melissa is a trusted mentor to new nurses, guiding them with patience and expertise. Her colleagues describe her as a compassionate leader who fosters teamwork and always puts her patients first. She is also a devoted mother of six and a proud grandmother of seven, balancing her nursing career with a deep commitment to her family.

The DAISY Foundation, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, honors nurses for their extraordinary contributions to patient care. DAISY Award recipients at LCRH are recognized with a special ceremony, a certificate, a DAISY Award® pin, an exclusive parking spot, and a hand-carved "A Healer’s Touch" sculpture. The tradition also includes iced cinnamon rolls, a favorite treat of Patrick’s during his illness, as a way to celebrate the impact of extraordinary nurses like Melissa.

Tanya Nelson-Hackney, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CPPS, Chief Nursing Officer at LCRH, shared, “Melissa exemplifies the heart of nursing. Her compassion, dedication, and leadership make a lasting impact on her patients, colleagues, and the future of nursing at LCRH. We are thrilled to recognize her with this well-deserved DAISY Award.”

Patients, families, and colleagues are encouraged to nominate outstanding nurses for the DAISY Award by visiting LakeCumberlandHospital.com/daisy-award.