ExpressCare manager receives hospital’s first DAISY Nurse Leader Award

BENNINGTON, VT—October 7, 2024—Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, recently honored a nurse manager for his outstanding leadership at the hospital’s ExpressCare clinic.

Bentley Munsell, BSN, RN, CEN, the Clinical Nurse Manager of SVMC’s ExpressCare, was awarded the first DAISY Nurse Leader Award at SVMC. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care provided by nurses. The Nurse Leader Award, specifically, celebrates nurses who lead with compassion, mentor their teams, and foster an environment of compassionate care.

Munsell was nominated by his team at ExpressCare, who wrote that they unanimously agreed he was deserving of special recognition.

“He is incredibly approachable and empathetic and fosters a positive and inclusive work environment,” his nominators wrote. “He excels in communication, ensuring that all team members are informed and engaged. He truly cares about his patients and staff members. He goes above and beyond.”

Munsell became manager of ExpressCare last September, having previously worked in SVMC’s Emergency Department (ED), starting as an ED technician in 2015 and then working as a charge nurse from 2018-2023.

Munsell, who was surprised by the recognition, thanked his team for their dedication.

“This is a great place to be and I’m happy to call it my home,” he said. “Thank you for being my team. It’s an honor to work with you.”

Pamela Duchene, PhD, APRN, Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing and Quality Officer at SVMC, noted that Bentley is a previous recipient of the DAISY Award of Extraordinary Nurses. Duchene said the Leader Award is an opportunity to celebrate the work that many patients don’t see.

“Bentley’s work, behind the scenes, creates an environment where our clinical team and support staff can deliver the best possible care and outcomes to our patients,” Duchene said.  “He plays a critical role in many ways that patients may not see directly.”

Munsell continues to provide clinical support in both ExpressCare and the ED and also teaches and coordinates workplace violence prevention training and education for the SVMC community.

SVMC ExpressCare, located on the Bennington campus, is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., offering walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries for patients of all ages.

About SVMC:

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVMC includes the Dartmouth Cancer Center at SVMC, the SVHC Foundation, as well as 25 primary and specialty care practices. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It is the recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2020 Rural Hospital Leadership Award. In addition, SVMC is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. SVMC provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.