SPRINGFIELD – Renee Holt of Jacksonville received the DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

Known for her expertise and compassion, Holt was nominated by a patient at the nonprofit hospital to receive the award, hospital officials said.

A registered nurse in the Emergency Department at Springfield Memorial Hospital, she has worked at the hospital for about 33 years. Holt is certified as a trauma nurse specialist and serves as one of the dedicated Emergency Department preceptors for new graduate nurses.

Outside of work, Holt enjoys traveling with her wife and raising German shepherds. She participates in community efforts promoting inclusion and diversity.

Holt was recognized as a DAISY Award recipient in front of her co-workers and hospital leaders. She received a certificate and a hand-carved sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.”

The family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 from complications of an autoimmune disease, established the nonprofit DAISY Foundation. Barnes’ family created the DAISY Awards, inspired by the care he received from nurses during his illness.

Any nurse at Springfield Memorial Hospital may be nominated for the award. Nomination forms are available throughout the hospital or online at DaisyFoundation.org.