Hagan Pace, FNP-BC, BSN, was recently honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in the presence of her family, hospital leadership, senior administrators and her clinical teammates. Dr. Cristy Page, UNC Health Interim CEO and Dean of the School of Medicine, along with Dr. Peggy McNaull, UNC Health Chief Medical and Quality Officer, were also able to attend the celebration.

A DAISY nomination for Pace came from a patient’s family member whose loved one passed away after a stay at UNC Health Rockingham.  The family member stated that they were left speechless by the outpouring of professionalism, dedication and extraordinary efforts that this nurse practitioner rendered during the care of their loved one. The family expressed gratitude for Pace’s honesty about possible outcomes and appreciation for how forthcoming with information she was throughout their time at the hospital.

Pace joined the hospital team in 2009 as a nurse practitioner in women’s health.  She then transitioned to the Rockingham County Student Health Center and returned to the hospital in 2020, as part of the hospitalist team.

When asked about receiving the award Pace said, “The reason I am here is to give excellent care to the people in this community, and hopefully this award helps affirm that I am doing that. I love this hospital and the opportunity to work with people who feel like family. I couldn’t do my work without them.”

Pace also shared that the support of her family plays an integral role in her being able to serve her patients with the degree of love and compassion that she does.

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: 1) Hagan Pace (center), FNP-BC, BSN, celebrates her The DAISY Award^® recognition at UNC Health Rockingham with Dr. Cristy Page (right), UNC Health Interim CEO and Dean of the School of Medicine, and Dr. Peggy McNaull (left), UNC Health Chief Medical and Quality Officer. 2) DAISY Award^® Recipient, Hagan Pace, FNP-BC, BSN (left center), was celebrated by her teammates at a ceremony held in UNC Health Rockingham.