The BEE Award

Honoring exceptional skills and compassion of our non-nursing healthcare associates

What’s the latest buzz at Thompson? It’s the BEE Award, which is short for Being Exceptional Every day.

While hospital and off-site nurses are eligible for the DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence, the BEE honors exceptional skills and compassion on the part of our non-nursing healthcare associates, such as patient care technicians (PCTs) and medical office assistants.

PCT Educator Holly Bailey noted these non-nursing associates have a complementary relationship with nurses, just as bees do with daisies.

“As both a registered nurse and a former PCT, I can confidently say these healthcare professionals do not always receive the credit they deserve. They spend the most time with our patients and are often the first to notice subtle changes in behavior or condition, playing a crucial role in alerting nurses when something isn’t right,” she said.

During Tech U training for PCTs, Holly reminds them that while patients come to Thompson for medical care, their most immediate concerns are often the everyday essentials such as using the restroom, bathing, brushing their teeth, eating, and, most importantly, feeling safe.

“It is a field that requires compassion, dedication, and resilience — qualities not everyone possesses but make an extraordinary impact on patient care,” Holly added. “I am thrilled we now have the opportunity to formally recognize these invaluable professionals.”

Thompson Health Vice President of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer Hazel Robertshaw agreed.

“Bees pollinate daisies, and nursing would be lost without the work that our amazing PCTs and medical office assistants do every day. They play a fundamental role in patient care. Adding this recognition was the brainchild of Holly, and I am delighted to support the worker bees through this program,” she said.

Thompson expects to present the first BEE Award this summer. To nominate someone, visit ThompsonHealth.com/BEE.