"It was quite an honor to receive the Daisy Award. Being recognized by staff and administration is a wonderful honor,” said Ashdown. “To be recognized and honored by patients I have cared for is even more special. Everything I do is for them. I know everyone that comes into the ER is having a bad day and my job is to mitigate that emergency and make them feel at ease and comfortable.”

Ashdown has been a member of the Hilton Head Island community since 1978. He attended Georgia Southern College and became a firefighter paramedic with Hilton Head Fire and Rescue after returning to the area. Ashdown earned his nursing degree in 2003 and has worked in the Emergency Department ever since.