Cheryl Hickman, Pikeville Medical Center senior vice president and chief regulatory officer, received the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award on May 10. This award was created to recognize nurses who have devoted their entire life’s work to the compassionate care of others.

Chief nursing officer Michelle Rainey presented the award to Hickman during National Nurses Week.

Hickman became a registered nurse in 1975 and has worked at PMC for nearly 50 years. She has served in several staff and leadership roles throughout her career and has been a pioneer in nursing at PMC.

“I was so honored to present the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award to Cheryl,” said Rainey. “She was and continues to be my mentor throughout my nursing career. It was fitting to save the best award for last during Nurses Week, and I’m so glad Cheryl was the recipient.”

The DAISY Foundation, a nonprofit founded to honor nurses who provide exceptional care to patients and their families, started the DAISY Award. Today, the DAISY Foundation proudly recognizes nurses wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers—from nursing students through lifetime achievement.

Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award are nominated for their dedication to nursing through active mentoring, role modeling, and advocating for their patients while promoting the positive image of nursing.

This person is required to have at least 25 years of service.