The DAISY Award: Celebrating Nursing Excellence and Compassion

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is a prestigious recognition program dedicated to honoring the exceptional clinical skills and compassionate care provided by nurses. Established in 1999 by the DAISY Foundation, the award serves as a tribute to the dedication and kindness nurses demonstrate daily, impacting the lives of patients and their families in profound ways.

 Eisenhower Health reignited the recognition program, receiving numerous nominations and recently held DAISY Award presentations for nurses in its inpatient and outpatient areas.

Join us in congratulating these exceptional DAISY Award winners!

Allison Garcia, BSN, RN  -  ICU at time of DAISY story, has since transferred to Case Management

Travis Burks, BSN, RN - ICU

Mary Kalapuracan, BSN, RN - Same Day Surgery

Nic Schegel, BSN, RN - 4 South

The DAISY Foundation was created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away at the age of 33 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disease. During his hospitalization, Patrick’’s family was deeply moved by the extraordinary care and compassion shown by his nurses. To express their gratitude and recognize the outstanding work of nurses, they established the DAISY Award.

The primary goal of the DAISY Award is to honor and celebrate nurses for their extraordinary contributions to patient care. The award recognizes nurses who go above and beyond in their clinical practice, demonstrating excellence in their profession and a deep commitment to patient-centered care.

By highlighting these exceptional individuals, the DAISY Award aims to:

1. Recognize Exceptional Nursing Care: Celebrate nurses who provide outstanding care, enhancing the overall patient experience.

2. Promote a Culture of Gratitude: Encourage appreciation and recognition of nurses within healthcare organizations and communities.

3. Inspire Excellence: Motivate nurses to continue striving for excellence in their practice and to serve as role models for their peers.

Nomination and Selection Process

The DAISY Award nomination process is open to patients, families, and colleagues who wish to acknowledge a nurse for their extraordinary care. Nominations often include heartfelt stories and testimonials describing how the nurse made a significant difference in the lives of their patients. These narratives highlight the nurse’’s clinical expertise, compassion, and dedication.

A committee within the healthcare organization reviews the nominations and selects the award recipients based on established criteria. The selection process ensures that the most deserving nurses, those who exemplify the highest standards of nursing practice, are recognized.