Kayla Jamison, a registered nurse at Punxsutawney Area Hospital (PAH), has been recognized for her dedication and compassion in patient care. Her journey into nursing was shaped by her own experiences as a patient with chronic illnesses, which inspired her to pursue a career where she could provide comfort and support to others.
Jamison began her service in healthcare early, becoming an EMT at 16 and working through college while serving the community in emergency services. She later earned her RN degree from Butler County Community College and qualified as a Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse (PH-RN), enabling her to work both within hospital settings and in the field.
“On my very first day, I knew I was destined for this job,” Jamison said. “Being a PH-RN allows me to be the light for someone else in their darkest moment, and that’s why I keep showing up.”
In addition to clinical work, Jamison is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. She is committed to supporting mental health awareness: “Silence kills,” she stated. “I want to be the reminder for people to stay, because they matter—even when they feel like they don’t.” She is also pursuing certification as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) to better serve vulnerable patients during crises.
Jamison has worked nearly three years at PAH, including two years as part of the hospital team. Her experience includes time in the ICU and on ambulances. She described how some individuals call emergency services simply for someone to talk to: “Some individuals have no one. They call just to talk. I always want to be the person who listens. Knowing what I see on the outside makes me a better nurse on the inside.”
This year, Jamison received the DAISY Award, which honors nurses who demonstrate extraordinary compassion and skillful care. The DAISY Foundation was created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after his death from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) at age 33.
Reflecting on receiving this recognition, Jamison said: “It is easy to fall into a routine—come to work, do your job, go home. This award reminds me that my work is never mundane. It gives me the ability to be the light for someone else, even when I feel like I’ve done nothing but my job. It reminds me that my work matters, that I do make a difference. That is something I can never thank you enough for.”
Paula Spack, Vice President of Patient Care Services at PAH commented: “Kayla’s DAISY nomination reflects her compassion, which is a priority that PAH embodies. Not only is Kayla skilled in the physical healing process but also in the process of nurturing and assisting with the mental health needs of our patients.” An anonymous nominator added: “This nurse truly showed me how much she cared.” PAH expressed pride in having nurses like Kayla on its staff.
The DAISY Foundation aims to honor nurses who combine medical knowledge with compassionate care for patients and families facing challenging times.
As Jamison continues teaching mental health first aid, seeking SANE certification, or responding as part of ICU or ambulance teams, she remains focused on providing support so every patient knows they are not alone.
