UNC Health Rockingham News Release • March 11, 2025 • E. Vernon
Dedicated Nurse Makes a Difference for Birthing Center Patients and Their Families
EDEN, N.C., March 11, 2025 — Rachel Powell, RN, was honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses during UNC Health Rockingham’s Care for Me Week. Hospital nursing leadership along with senior administrators gathered in the birthing center to celebrate Powell with her family and fellow nursing teammates.
Powell’s DAISY nomination came from a patient who was at UNC Health Rockingham’s award-winning birthing center to welcome her first child. As a first-time parent she and her husband had a lot of questions and Powell was happy to answer each one. The patient shared that as their nurse, Powell was able to comfort her and coach her when her birth plan took an unexpected turn and concluded that they were impressed by Powell’s support. The patient said, “I never knew a nurse could make such an impression.”
Following a tearful reception, Powell shared, “Receiving the Daisy Award is a true honor. Since becoming a nurse, I have seen the impact on my fellow nurses who have received Daisy Awards and I have strived to be a nurse deserving of this recognition. The Daisy Award makes me feel like I might be changing someone’s life with my work.”
When asked what bring her joy about her work, Powell shared that she is driven to be an advocate and support system for the women who are her patients in their most vulnerable moments. Ensuring that her patients’ individual birthing journeys are the experience they need and want is her mission as a nurse.
Powell is a member of the dedicated UNC Health Rockingham Birthing Center team recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for Maternity Care as “High Performing” for maternity care. Additionally, the hospital earned the “Maternity Care Access” designation for providing access to underserved populations in danger of becoming maternity deserts. Only nine percent of U.S. News-evaluated hospitals across the country were designated as both Maternity Care Access Hospitals and Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.
The DAISY Foundation 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 thirty-three. His family wanted a meaningful way to recognize and honor nurses who, like those caring for Patrick and his family, provide excellent clinical care while showing great compassion for their patients. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.
To nominate a nurse for The DAISY Award® at UNC Health Rockingham, visit www.uncrockingham.org/thank-a-caregiver.
Photo Caption: DAISY Award® Recipient, Rachel Powell, BSN, RN (center), was celebrated by her teammates and hospital leadership at a ceremony held at UNC Health Rockingham during Care for Me Week 2025.
UNC Health Rockingham is a nonprofit, 108-bed community hospital preserving excellent, compassionate and trusted care where it is needed most: close to home. As a cornerstone in Eden, N.C., and a major employer, UNC Health Rockingham serves people throughout Rockingham County and in neighboring Southern Virginia areas. In addition to inpatient, outpatient, surgical and emergency care, the hospital offers diagnostic and treatment services, provides screenings and tests and lead wellness initiatives. More information about UNC Health Rockingham may be found at uncrockingham.org.
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