'I Can Tell Your Heart Is in It': Methodist Women's Hospital Nurse Honored With DAISY Award

“I used to take her to Take Your Daughter to Work Day,” said Pat Hoidal, a retired nurse who spent time in nurse administration at Methodist Hospital. “Maia used to say, ‘I’m not planning to work in one of these offices. I need to be out there with the patients.’”

She didn’t wait long.

In 1996, Poutre became a Methodist Volunteen at age 14. She went on to become a patient escort, nursing assistant and labor and delivery staff nurse – all with Methodist. In 2010, she assumed her current role as core coordinator for labor and delivery and high-risk obstetrics at Methodist Women’s Hospital.

This month, after decades of devotion to patients, she was honored with The DAISY Award, which recognizes nurses for extraordinary skill and compassion.

“A Patient and a Friend”

Poutre was nominated for the award by a patient who was impressed by all the ways the nurse worked to make her comfortable.

“Maia cared for me as both a patient and a friend,” the patient wrote in her DAISY nomination. “She became a key person of wisdom for me and my husband as we tried to make decisions during my high-risk stay and then labor and delivery of our twins. Maia got me ice, took my tray and served me with such awareness. But even more than that, she put the medical world in layman’s terms and at a crucial time of need, helped us navigate through a hard situation. She listened to my needs and heard what I wanted and how I hoped delivery would go, and then voiced my hopes to the doctors. She made me feel respected, cared for, and like I said, she made me feel like a friend.”

Poutre instantly knew which patient nominated her when she heard those words read aloud. 

“I spent a lot of time talking with her,” said Poutre, who has four boys of her own. “She had a pretty complicated pregnancy. We took it one step at a time, helping to get her through.”

Family and Team

Poutre’s mother and son Ben were among those who gathered to surprise her with The DAISY Award.

“It’s an exciting award because it comes from the patient,” Pat said. “As a nurse, your patients are your reason for being here.”

Having the support of family and coworkers made the honor all the more special for Poutre.

“It’s truly humbling,” she said. “I don’t feel like I deserve it. But I’m grateful. I’d like to give one to all of our nurses. We have an amazing team.”

She added: “I love coming to work. I love what I do. It’s become part of me. Even the patient said to me when she was here, ‘I can tell your heart is in it.’ And that’s part of why I became a nurse – to be able to make a difference for somebody who’s in a tough time.”