June 15, 2026— One nurse at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of North Memphis, a partner of Methodist Healthcare is being recognized for her exceptional care and compassion. Alicia Reitz has been named the hospital's latest recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®, an honor that celebrates nurses who go above and beyond to make a lasting difference in the lives of their patients and families.
The DAISY Award is part of a nationwide program created by the DAISY Foundation to spotlight the clinical skills, kindness and dedication nurses bring to their work each day. At Encompass Health North Memphis, colleagues say Reitz exemplifies those qualities in every interaction.
“Alicia constantly goes above and beyond for her patients,” said Karen Diaz, a physical therapy assistant who works alongside Reitz. “She brings kindness, excellence and heart into everything she does.”
Reitz's path into nursing didn't begin with a lifelong plan but with an opportunity that quickly grew into a passion. At 17 years old and motivated for practical reasons, she took a job at a small retirement home.
“I started working there simply because it was the best paying job I could find at the time,” Reitz said. “But I began to fall in love with the patients and the work we did.”
Though her mother was a nurse, Reitz once believed she would choose a different path. That perspective changed once she experienced firsthand the impact of caregiving and inpatient rehabilitation. During the pandemic, Reitz's brother contracted COVID-19 and was put on a ventilator for a month. He was discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility where he learned how to walk and function independently. This experience inspired her to focus her career in rehabilitation.
“I had always said I would never be a nurse,” she said. “Until I found out just how rewarding it was pouring into others your effort, time and skill.”
Throughout her nursing career, Reitz has built long lasting relationships with patients. Reitz shared that these connections are among the most meaningful parts of her job, allowing her to see the impact of her hard work firsthand.
“Some of those patients really became an extended family for me,” she said. “Being able to lift others up and encourage them when they're going through a hard time has been more of a blessing for me than for them.”
Her approach shows nursing extends beyond clinical care. It's about empathy, patience and meeting people where they are, especially during vulnerable moments. Reitz emphasizes that nursing requires both technical expertise and emotional resilience. She hopes more people recognize the delicate balance nurses maintain each day.
“I try to remind patients how far they've come and what they're capable of with grit and determination,” Reitz said. “Navigating life-altering medical events is difficult for every patient. It is rewarding for me to play a part in that recovery.”
As a DAISY Award recipient, Reitz joins a distinguished group of nurses recognized for making a profound impact in healthcare settings across the country. At Encompass Health North Memphis, her recognition serves as a reminder of the powerful role nurses play in patient recovery and well-being.
For her colleagues and patients alike, Reitz's recognition comes as no surprise. Her combination of clinical excellence, genuine compassion and personal dedication defines what the DAISY Award seeks to honor.
“We are not surprised that Alicia was recognized,” said Yolanda Motley, CEO at Encompass Health North Memphis. “She puts her whole heart into what she does, and we cannot wait to celebrate her.”