Baptist Health Lexington employee honored with DAISY Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2026) — When Arin Arnold-Davis unexpectedly went into labor at 32 weeks, she and her husband John were unsure what the next hours would bring. But Katelyn Blankenship, BSN, helped transform what could have been a frightening birth experience into one defined by “love, compassion and hope.”

Our latest DAISY Award honoree, Blankenship provided the confidence and kindness Arin needed as she prepared to welcome her daughter, Ingrid, into the world.

The DAISY Award celebrates extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care. Patients, visitors, nurses, volunteers, and employees can nominate a deserving nurse for this honor. 

After a long night of testing, IVs and monitoring, Arnold-Davis was physically and emotionally exhausted. But from the moment Katelyn introduced herself, Arnold-Davis said she felt a sense of calm.

As labor progressed more quickly than expected, Arnold-Davis asked if Blankenship could stay with her. Blankenship did, holding her hand during the epidural, explaining what was happening, offering encouragement and even sharing some laughter along the way.

When Ingrid was born at just 32 weeks, Blankenship was right there beside Arin, cheering her on.

Arnold-Davis said she remembers Blankenship’s kindness before she remembers the fear from that time.

“There wasn’t one dramatic, lifesaving moment that defines why Katelyn deserves this recognition,” Arnold-Davis. “Instead, it was the hundreds of small moments — the gentle touch, the reassuring words, the quiet confidence, the laughter and the compassion — that changed my entire experience.”

If you know an exceptional nurse at Baptist Health Lexington who deserves recognition, you can submit a nomination here.