When SMMC asked former patients to nominate nurses who exceeded expectations, the community responded with an incredible number of nominations, officials said. The award recognizes exceptional care, comfort and compassion offered by the nurses at SMMC, and honors one nurse in particular.

Martinez was presented with the award during a special barbecue luncheon honoring all of the SMMC employees as part of National Hospital Week.

Why would SMMC ask former patients to be so involved in spotlighting an exceptional nurse, rather than making the choice internally?

“Sometimes it’s just too hard to spot one nurse when there are so many nurses in our hospital doing an incredible job caring for our patients,” said Judy Roever, chief nursing officer for SMMC. “That’s why we asked patients to help us make the choice. They see the little things that matter so much on a very personal level.”

During the nomination period, March 21 through May 1, individuals who had personally received care at SMMC in the last year, or who had a family member that had received care, were encouraged to thank a nurse for “going the extra mile” by submitting a nomination for the award.

Nominations also included the following nurses: Samantha Kuykendall, Beverly Von Hassell, Terry Sims, Jess Colegrove, Brian Murphree, Shane Kemper, Stephanie Soliz, Christine Everett, JoAnne Arellano, Mandy Pinkley, Teresa Smith, Kaye Womack and Nora Gamble.