KNOXVILLE, IA – Courtney Hoch, a Registered Nurse in the Knoxville Clinic at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (KHC), was recognized with the organization’s 15th annual DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses during its annual Service Awards celebration on May 11.
The DAISY Award recognizes an individual’s dedication to the nursing profession, patients, and their family members. The award was founded in 1999 in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The award’s name, DAISY, stands for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System.”
Courtney has been employed at KHC for four and a half years. In her nominations, she was recognized for her heartfelt compassion and dedication to patients and their family members.
“Courtney doesn’t just do her job — she genuinely cares. She takes the time to ask how my family is doing, remembers us, and makes us feel seen and important. Her kindness isn’t rushed or forced; it’s real. In moments where emotions run high and families are vulnerable, Courtney brings warmth, calm, and reassurance simply by being present,” read her nomination.
In addition to Courtney, nominees for this year’s DAISY Award included: Brooke Bailey, Med Surg; Mary Beckey, Med Surg; Dawn Bender, Infusion; Ann Fee, Pleasantville Clinic; Wyndie Gholson, Infusion; Sarah Hancock, Surgery; Haley Hoch, Emergency Department; Brittney Rinehart, Med Surg; Amber Seddon, Med Surg; and Kelsey Shellabarger, Resource.
Each year, the KHC Nursing Council selects a DAISY Award recipient from nominations submitted throughout the year. Previous KHC DAISY Award recipients include Cheryl James, Holly Ives, Dawn Bender, Kyley VanDonsler, Lori Mallory, and Mallory Krpan.
Pictured: Courtney Hoch, a Registered Nurse at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics, was recognized with the organization’s 15th annual DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses during its annual Service Awards celebration on May 11. Courtney is pictured with KHC Chief Nursing Officer, Jan Myers, and the other 2026 nominees. Left to right: Wyndie Gholson, Haley Hoch, Ann Fee, Brooke Bailey, Jan Myers, Mary Beckey, Courtney Hoch, Sarah Hancock, Dawn Bender, Brittney Rinehart, and Amber Seddon. Not present: Kelsey Shellabarger.
Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is a non-profit community hospital serving Marion County and the surrounding area. Named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital, KHC’s highly skilled medical staff and specialists provide personal, compassionate, and innovative quality health care to patients. For more information regarding this release and other happenings at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics, call Public Relations at (641) 842-1418.
