East Georgia Regional Medical Center (EGRMC) proudly announces that Marie Burdett, MSN, RN, CHSA, Chief Nursing Officer, has been awarded the prestigious DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating a 35+ year nursing career marked by transformational leadership, clinical excellence, and a profound commitment to advancing nursing practice.
This milestone honor, the first of its kind presented at EGRMC, was delivered by CEO Stephen Pennington, who expressed deep appreciation for Marie’s legacy.
“It was an honor to be part of this moment. Recognizing Marie for the extraordinary contributions she has made throughout her career was a great experience, the first DAISY lifetime achievement award I have ever given in my career,” he shared.
Marie has served as Chief Nursing Officer at EGRMC since 2016. During her tenure, she has led the organization to measurable improvements in patient care and staff retention, including:
- Reducing nurse turnover from 31% to 14%
- Earning a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade “A”
- Improving the hospital’s CMS Star Rating
- Leading the hospital to certification as an Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and a Primary Stroke Center
In addition to leading all nursing departments, Marie also oversees Rehabilitation Services, Wound Care and Cardiopulmonary and Sleep Medicine, expanding her leadership and influence across the continuum of care.
Shannon Farlow, Director of Med-Surg and Telemetry, emphasized Marie’s far-reaching impact. “Marie doesn’t just lead from the top, she leads from within,” said Farlow. “Her presence is felt in every unit, and her commitment to excellence has shaped not only our nursing departments but also the supporting teams of rehab and cardiopulmonary. She sets high standards, but she lifts you up to meet them. This award couldn’t go to a more deserving leader.”
Marie’s colleagues admire not only her professional accomplishments, but also her compassion and dedication to mentoring the next generation of nurse leaders.
Cheri Wagner, Director of the Emergency Department, spoke to Marie’s tireless support of her leadership team. “Marie is the kind of leader who never stops investing in others,” said Wagner. “She believes in you even when you’re still learning to believe in yourself. Her mentorship has pushed so many of us to grow not only within our departments, but in our own personal leadership journeys. She models what it means to lead with integrity, vision, and heart.”
Since joining EGRMC, Marie has also championed a culture of recognition by bringing the DAISY program to the hospital in 2017. Since then, 35 bedside nurses and 4 nurse leaders have been honored through the program.
Upon receiving the award, Marie expressed her gratitude: “It is such a huge honor to be recognized for the work that I have done over my career. I’m actually speechless, but it makes me very happy and gives me a sense of pride to see nurses at the bedside become experts in the care they provide or advance in their career, and to know that I had some positive influence over them.”
Marie has also been honored for two consecutive years by Becker’s Healthcare as one of its “CNOs to Know,” a national recognition for nurse executives who demonstrate visionary leadership, tackle staffing challenges, and champion professional development.
Her DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award not only honors her remarkable career but also affirms the indelible mark she has made on patients, nurses, and healthcare leadership at East Georgia Regional Medical Center and beyond.
About the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by The DAISY Foundation, this award honors nurses whose careers have left a lasting legacy on the profession. Honorees are recognized for promoting a positive image of nursing, mentoring others, and significantly advancing patient care and the standards of nursing practice.
