Sister Mary Trinita Eddington was recently honored with the 2023 DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. She was nominated by the nursing staff at St. Dominic Hospital, Jackson, Miss.
“We wanted to celebrate her remarkable contributions and leadership over many decades,” said Tracey Smithson, Chief Nursing Officer, St. Dominic Hospital. “Her unwavering commitment and dedication have made an irreplaceable mark on our healthcare teams and community.”
The award was created by the DAISY Foundation to recognize nurses across the globe who have devoted their lives to the compassionate care of others. Recipients of this award are recognized for their dedication to nursing through outstanding and transformational leadership, active mentoring, role modeling, advocating for patients with an enhanced patient experience, and promoting a positive image of nursing.
“This recognition means so much to me because I feel like it is my cohort, my St. Dominic’s nurses, who brought this about,” shared Sister Trinita. “That’s what makes this so special.”
Sister Trinita made her profession as a Springfield Dominican Sister when she was 18. Little did she know her vocation in religious life would lead her to a lifetime in Jackson.
After spending time assigned to the pharmacy, Sister Trinita began the journey to become a nurse. A little over two years later, she received her first nursing degree and started out as a staff nurse until advancing to the positions of Head Nurse, Assistant Nursing Director, Nursing Services Administrator, and eventually Vice President. During that time, Sister Trinita went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in nursing and later a master’s degree in nursing administration with a minor in community health nursing.
After stepping down from her vice president role in the early 1990’s, her mission focused on the needs of the community. She was instrumental in the formation of the St. Dominic’s Community Health Clinic that was established in 1996 to serve those who could not afford basic medical care. The clinic provides healthcare services free of charge for the medically underserved in Jackson.
During this time, she was also studying to become a nurse practitioner and designing a program for a residential Alzheimer’s facility at St. Catherine’s Village. Although Sister Trinita has reduced the hours at her nurse practitioner practice and role at the clinic, she continues serving the St. Dominic’s ministry and Jackson community as a nurse and leader.
Congratulations Sr. Trinita! We are proud of you! May you take some time for rest and relaxation.
You certainly deserve it.
Congratulations, you certainly deserve this. Honor for your years of work. Mother and Aiden would be very proud as we are my prayers Sister, Mary Alberta.
That was supposed to say mother Eddington would be very proud of you. I guess it didn’t understand my speech!