A nurse preceptor in Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s (SVMC) Medical-Surgical Unit was honored recently for the compassionate care provided to a patient with Alzheimer’s disease.
Brittany Priggen, RN, was presented with a DAISY Award in late August. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care provided by nurses.
Priggen works in SVMC’s Medical-Surgical Unit, where patients are recovering from surgeries, illnesses and injuries. She was nominated by the family of a patient with Alzheimer's, who was being treated for an injury.
“She engaged [the patient] completely and recognized and validated her as a whole person, and put us all at ease” the nominator wrote. “She is a credit to the career and is caring and compassionate beyond. [The patient] is a former RN herself and she was treated with the dignity she deserves.”
Priggen was hailed for “having a plan” and for guiding the family through difficult discussions.
“God bless nurses like her,” the nominator wrote.
As a nurse preceptor Priggen also helps train new RNs using evidence-based practices.
About Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
For more than a century, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) has delivered world-class care and comfort to every patient. Today, SVMC encompasses eight locations across Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts, including a 99-bed hospital and 23 primary and specialty care services. SVMC’s exceptional health teams possess expertise in everything from oncology to orthopedics. Our clinical strength has earned national attention, including six consecutive designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. Since joining Dartmouth Health in 2023, SVMC has expanded treatment options and services to keep patients closer to home for world-class care. As the largest employer in southwestern Vermont, SVMC is deeply invested in the region, engaging with the community through wellness initiatives, support of local nonprofit organizations and involvement in economic development. SVMC has robust volunteer leadership, at many levels, that help guide and govern the organization, ensuring SVMC continues to serve the patient and staff needs of today, and tomorrow.