Daisy winner Charles Wilbur finds a new home at Pomerene

Charles Wilbur got a late start in his nursing career, but at Pomerene Hospital, he has quickly made up for lost time, endearing himself to staff and patients alike.

On Thursday, May 8, his work and dedication were rewarded when he was named the recipient of a 2025 Daisy Award.

Originally from Connecticut, he worked in other jobs in Atlanta, Georgia for 15 years after graduating from the University of Connecticut.

Then a near-tragic accident sent him on a new career path.

“In 1988 I was riding my mountain bike down a hill and woke up in a hospital with a broken neck,” Wilbur said. “That’s when I saw the incredible care the nurses were giving me, and I also saw what was going on around me. At that point it gave me an opportunity to assess my life and go back to nursing school at the age of 30.”

That moment created a new career arc for Wilbur, one that he feels was a blessing from God.

“God opens a door and you kind of walk through it in faith,” Wilbur said.

He said most days he takes time to look around and appreciate landing in Holmes County and Pomerene Hospital, where he truly believes he is fulfilling what he was meant to be.

“I’ve always felt God allowed me to experience this second chance, and it’s more a calling than a drive,” Wilbur said. “I think it’s honorable and noble.”

The Daisy Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes.

Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. Daisy is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired the creation of the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an evidenced-based means of providing recognition and thanking nurses for making a difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Nurses are nominated for the Daisy Foundation Award by patients whose lives they touched in a meaningful way during a visit to the hospital.

Wilbur’s letter of recommendation came from another nurse, Katie Horst, who wrote about Wilbur’s gentle and caring spirit, a necessary trait in the hectic pace of the ED.

“(Charles) lights up the dimmest room on the darkest of days with just his presence,” Horst wrote. “His personality shines when he is in a room with his patients. Even on a busy night, he has no problem pulling up a chair and providing the patient with the attention they deserve. He engages with every patient, and you can see the tension and frustration release from them. He goes beyond the question of ‘what brought you in today?’ and gets to know the patient and their family.”

Shelby Murphy, Pomerene Emergency Department manager, read Wilbur’s letter of commendation and said his contribution to the department is invaluable.

Murphy said when Wilbur initially called to apply for a job, he talked about how he had seen Pomerene Hospital’s video and was struck by the way they took care of patients.

“He was extremely excited about our culture and how we take care of our patients,” Murphy said. “He was so drawn to that, and that made a big impression.”

Murphy came to Holmes County, applied and was hired immediately, so quickly that he and his family lived in a camper for several months before finally finding a home.

Murphy said it has been the best possible hire, talking glowingly about Wilbur’s commitment to serving others, his patient and compassionate demeanor, and his willingness to do everything and anything without ever taking credit.

“He is the person who makes sure everyone has a ride home after work,” Murphy said. “He goes above and beyond and adds something really special to our unit. He’s so humble that he never thinks he does anything special, but yet he does every day.”

Wilbur said not only is the staff at Pomerene amazing, but he also credits the clientele coming into the hospital as part of the reason he finds great joy in his job, noting the patients who come in are always kind and grateful despite coming in during intense and frightening moments.