Voices of DAISY

I personally wanted to thank you and show my gratitude for receiving the DAISY Award. It is such an honor, and I sincerely appreciate the recognition my act of kindness has received. To be recognized for providing care and comfort to a dying patient who had no family at the bedside leaves me humbled and honored. Receiving this DAISY Award inspires me to continue to pursue my passion as an Emergency Room nurse. I hope I can continue to inspire nurses to show compassion and take that extra moment with their patients. This recognition will forever leave an impression on me throughout my career. I will do my best to continue to make a difference in everyone's lives. Thank you again for this truly wonderful honor.

The DAISY Foundation is my most favorite award-giving body for recognizing us nurses for what we thought is just ordinary work but is indeed extraordinary for others. Going above and beyond is what I thought was the basic nursing care we provide to our patients and families.

Being recognized makes our work more meaningful and provides extra inspiration to continue providing excellent and compassionate care to our patients. It empowers me to give back by serving as DAISY Coordinator and witnessing the wonderful emotions this DAISY provides to our honorees. Being a DAISY Honoree myself, I felt like receiving "The Oscars in the Nursing Profession." Thank You, DAISY Foundation!

I was the recipient of the award many, many years ago as a bedside nurse, and it is the only award I display on my wall with my diplomas as it represents the ultimate acknowledgment and compliment as a nurse: the combination of heart and science to care for and nurture our patients.

Just when I was feeling defeated, and even rethinking if I made the right rear advancement choices, I got this humbling reminder from God that I’m right where I’m supposed to be. May He continue to bless these hands to do His work and do what they were meant to do.

And who better to hand me this Award, than my primary preceptor, Kathy Walsh! And also, congrats to my fellow new grad colleague, Stephanie! And yes, I will wear this #DAISYAward proudly

In the midst of the great resignation, a National uptick in Type II violence, and nursing reporting unprecedented high compassion fatigue self-rated scores, we were desperate to change the climate.  Bringing DAISY to the nurses was just the drop in temperature we were striving for. It has brought meaningful and welcomed positive energy to our staff, their families, and administrations during these difficult times.  We thank Bonnie and Mark Barnes for their partnership, Patrick's legacy, and the selfless devotion to others that have made such a lasting impact on nurses worldwide.  

A caregiver who truly cares and gives seeds from the heart.

As a DAISY Coordinator, I make our ceremonies extra special by providing each DAISY Honoree with their own personalized needlework bookmark for all three hospitals: Bridgton Hospital, Central Maine Healthcare, and Rumford Hospital.
I have been nationally recognized by the DAISY Foundation through their Pinterest page for my bookmarks.
It is my extreme pleasure to show our hospital's appreciation for each and every DAISY Honoree in this special gift. It touches my heart and is very rewarding.
Honorees have expressed their sincere thanks and gratefulness for their personalized bookmark.
It gives me immense joy to be part of such an amazing program honoring nurses through the DAISY Foundation. This has truly become my passion!

We are also very appreciative of all that the DAISY Foundation has done to create a meaningful award/program that honors the tender acts of human compassion, that can sometimes go unnoticed but can leave an enduring imprint on the heart/soul of another human being.
I cannot express to you how thrilled we are to publically honor our first DAISY award recipient in May! Thank you for all of your efforts, which make this possible for extraordinary nurses in health care facilities everywhere.

Ever since I became a nurse I was driven to be the best nurse I could be. Throughout the years I have be blessed to touch the lives of many patients and staff and I truly had no idea the impact I was making until a nursing assistant contacted me many years later to let me know that I inspired her to go to Nursing School. I take great pride in the impact I have as a Nurse Leader upon nurses. The DAISY foundation allows me to live out my mission of inspiring nurses to be the best that they can be by putting a spotlight on excellent nursing care and having a platform for nurses to see what a great nurse looks like. I would definitely have to say that presenting DAISY Awards to Wesley nurses is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job and it is a great way to "fill my cup".

I first heard of the DAISY Award when I was nominated and received it during my first year as a nurse. When I started in the CNO role, I knew this program was essential to recognize the selfless acts of compassion I witness each day. Now, I have the honor to recognize our outstanding nursing staff each year. It has been an absolute pleasure to read all of the nomination letters; I see every day what an extraordinary group of nurses we employ. But, this program offers an opportunity to publicly recognize the outstanding service provided to all our patients. Watching the emotion on each nurse's face when he/she hears their nomination story is heartwarming. The true passion of this profession is evident through each of these encounters.

"Receiving The DAISY Award has affirmed my decision to be a nurse, continually reminds me why I do what I do, and motivates me to further excel in the care I give my patients."

I am honored to be the DAISY Award Coordinator for our hospital. It is a joy to see the nurses who are surprised by the impact they make on a patient and family during their hospital stay. The DAISY Award is a wonderful way to recognize the extraordinary nurses who provide care, comfort, and compassion for our patients every day.

I am reminded that the smallest acts of kindness and caring have the biggest impact. The DAISY Award was an unexpected honor. I am proud to be a DAISY Award Honoree and blessed to be a nurse.

We don't do this work for the recognition or thanks but it was such an amazing feeling to receive the DAISY Award! It's so gratifying to be appreciated by those you care for and the team that helps you every day.

My DAISY experience was life changing to say the least! To be recognized for your hard work is one of the greatest feelings. I appreciate all the time and effort it took to celebrate me. I do not take this for granted!

The DAISY Award provides the means for a patient, family, visitor, staff member, or anyone in the hospital setting to recognize a nurse for their extraordinary care. Every day, I work with nurses who always think that they are "Just doing my job," however their efforts leave a long standing impression on someone in need. This award empowers our nurses and lets them know that their efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. This award has been a blessing to our hospital and I look forward to seeing it evolve through the years.

The DAISY award made me realize how much of an impact I have on the experience of my patients and their family members during an extremely vulnerable time in their lives. Being able to provide care to families as they bring a child into the world is truly an honor and receiving the DAISY has made me appreciate the care I provide even more.

This little pin can mean so much. It keeps nurses going. Pushing, fighting, striving to be better. To do more. Recognition from the people we care for is the steam in our engines. I'm so glad I can touch lives the way I do, even if it is downright hard to do most days. A nurse's first DAISY is very special, and mine came at a time it was most needed.

So blessed that when God designed the plans for my life that he decided that I would be a DAISY Nurse Leader Honoree representing love and excellence for all.

I am honored to be the DAISY Award Coordinator for our hospital. It is a joy to see the nurses who are surprised by the impact they make on a patient and family during their hospital stay. The DAISY Award is a wonderful way to recognize the extraordinary nurses who provide care, comfort, and compassion for our patients every day.

It has been a great pleasure to assist in acknowledging nurses that go above and beyond to provide caring and compassionate care.

Ever since I became a nurse I was driven to be the best nurse I could be. Throughout the years I have be blessed to touch the lives of many patients and staff and I truly had no idea the impact I was making until a nursing assistant contacted me many years later to let me know that I inspired her to go to Nursing School.  I take great pride in the impact I have as a Nurse Leader upon nurses. The DAISY foundation allows me to live out my mission of inspiring nurses to be the best that they can be by putting a spotlight on excellent nursing care and having a platform for nurses to see what a great nurse looks like. I would definitely have to say that presenting DAISY Awards to Wesley nurses is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job and it is a great way to "fill my cup".

It is truly an amazing gift to honor Patrick's legacy by celebrating the finest in nursing!

Receiving the DAISY Award was a true surprise and incredible honor because nurses, including myself, do not always know the power of the impact that they have on the patients and families that they have the honor and privilege to care for and advocate for. Being recognized by patients and families is the highest honor that a nurse can receive. I value and appreciate this award and support the mission of this important program.

It is truly an honor to co-lead the DAISY Award committee. I love sharing the presentation story of Mr. Patrick Barnes and his family’s appreciation for the compassion and care of nurses. We make sure that the Honoree is surprised and I can’t tell you how much joy it is to see the expression of shock and tears of the Honoree at hearing they received this reward. It is my pleasure to participate in recognizing the extraordinary care and rewarding work of nurses here at the Erie VA Medical Center. Thank You DAISY Foundation for the DAISY Award Program and opportunity to be able to provide a little “happy” moment for our nurses!

Being a DAISY Awardee is an awesome and unforgettable experience. It felt like receiving my “Emmy Award” in the nursing profession. This is a re-affirmation of my commitment to providing excellent care full of kindness and compassion to my patients and families. Being recognized for going above and beyond, for being an inspiration for what I perceive as ordinary work is extraordinary and truly beyond words. I wear the DAISY pins everyday with pride and honor. It reminds me that I am not just a nurse, but an extraordinary one.

On those days when I am exhausted and challenged and I think nobody understands what a nurse goes through, I remember the morning I received a bright yellow bouquet of yellow daisies. I cried that morning. I had been a nurse for 24 years. Half my life at the time. Having received the DAISY Award reminds me that there are those people out there who understand. It makes the hard days easier. Every morning I get ready for work I am reminded by seeing the sculpture 'The Healer's Touch' on my dresser and I know the day is going to be ok.

Being a DAISY Team Award winner is such a humbling experience. Together our team provided exceptional care of our patients and this award recognized all our team for a job well done. I'm so proud of all of our nurses and the true difference they make each and every day!

I am a registered nurse at Mercy Medical Center (Merced) in the ER. I also dabble in oncology, telemetry, and the ICU. I love being a nurse. I love making people’s day brighter. I also love helping families heal, and being there to lean on during the hardest times of their lives. Today I was blessed with the honor of receiving the Daisy award. The joy and gratitude I felt being honored is unmatched to anything else I’ve experienced in life. In my mind, I’m just doing my job; however, it feels amazing to be recognized by patients and their families. I know I’m making a difference to others, and that’s all I need to know. I wanted to truly thank you for all that you do. I will wear my DAISY pin with the utmost pride, and will continue making a difference for others. I shed a tear while eating my cinnamon roll. Patrick would be so proud to see what you’re doing for nurses. Thank you.

I am a patient advocate first and foremost. It was humbling and special to be honored by my patients. It is very rewarding to be able to be a positive influence in someone's life.

A career in helping others will pay a lifetime of dividends.

I am reminded that the smallest acts of kindness and caring have the biggest impact. The DAISY Award was an unexpected honor. I am proud to be a DAISY Award Honoree and blessed to be a nurse.

DAISY is the most well-run Nurse Recognition Program available.  The mission of DAISY brings J. Patrick Barnes to life for everyone.  It is an honor to be associated with the vision and passion for recognition of nursing that is DAISY.  The tears we shed when we read the story are turned to huge smiles as we follow the DAISY program and spread the gift of recognition.  

"Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription." -Val Saintsbury

I am so proud to serve my veterans. To be able to give all the compassion, my hands for charity for the veterans in need, my knowledge to assist the patients and families when in need. 
The truth in my heart for love of my profession as a nurse. 
The DAISY Award is a great honor for myself, for my peers and for my facility, El Paso VA - Las Cruces CBOC Clinic.

As both a DAISY Award Honoree and a Coordinator, my journey with DAISY has been one of true joy and pride! I am so proud to have been honored myself for just doing what I love to do and now being in the position of providing that care and recognition to others means everything to me!

Receiving a DAISY Award and then a Team DAISY Award has been the greatest honor of my career. Being nominated by patients who are the reason that I come to work for everyday means so much. The Team DAISY was so special because of the other nurses who received it along side me. They are amazing nurses and human-beings and I have the utmost respect for them. DAISY is an extremely special award and experience.

It was an incredible and unexpected honor to receive the DAISY Award. The patient who nominated me was very generous. I really feel he received the same standard of care from me as he would have from any of the wonderful nurses that I work with. It still felt staggering to receive such recognition for my care. The sculpture was truly beautiful and everyone loved the cinnamon rolls. Thank you so much to The DAISY Foundation and to the family of J. Patrick Barnes.

I just want to take a moment and say "WOW" to you! What a wonderful legacy to Patrick - his memory is alive and well and will remain so for years to come. Our nurses LOVE receiving this award - it represents the core of who they are and why they work in the profession of nursing. Here's to 2018 and all our DAISY recipient nurses at Genesis and all over the world!!

I feel so blessed and appreciative of the fact my work was recognized and that I could make a difference in a patient and their family's lives.

In September I was nominated for a DAISY Award by a patient.  It meant so much just being nominated and came at a time when I was under immense pressure due to staffing shortages.  To say that this award re-affirmed my commitment to nursing is an understatement.  That simple act of thanks meant so much to me. Thank you for creating and supporting this award system, I wish you every success and hope it becomes known worldwide.

The DAISY Award means I have potential, it is a great accomplishment that came by total surprise to me on my birthday! I was so shocked to receive the DAISY Award especially for doing what I love to do every time I show up to work. Being a registered nurse is my passion & I'm beyond elated to be recognized for doing what makes me feel good while giving others the care they deserve.

The DAISY Award was a surprise to me. I had a young mother who had a child die in the hospital and her hospital visit brought back painful memories. I just shared things about myself and made her laugh. It is an honor to receive such an award!

The DAISY Awards in our hospital have been instrumental in our cohesiveness as a nursing family. It is one of the highest honors one can receive in his or her nursing journey and probably one of the few intangible rewards we can bestow upon our amazing nurses. The best antidote to burnout is reading all these amazing stories of our nurses!

The DAISY Award provides the means for a patient, family, visitor, staff member, or anyone in the hospital setting to recognize a nurse for their extraordinary care. Every day, I work with nurses who always think that they are "Just doing my job," however their efforts leave a long standing impression on someone in need. This award empowers our nurses and lets them know that their efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. This award has been a blessing to our hospital and I look forward to seeing it evolve through the years.

“I am shocked beyond belief for this award”

There is such powerful transformation that occurs for each nurse who learns that he/she was nominated and then even more so for the monthly recipient.  The DAISY Award provides us with an opportunity to pause each month on a unit with the winner and peers and share how ‘simple’ nursing actions, caring, listening and acknowledging are so critical to our patients and families…and what can make the difference in feeling alone versus supported.  Thank you for being the catalysts of the opportunities for these amazing transformative moments. 

'The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. -William Shakespeare.'

As a patient experience concierge, I interact with patients while they're in the hospital, and also after discharge to ensure that they're getting the best care that they deserve.  As an administrative assistant to the DAISY Team at my facility, I have the opportunity to read the wonderful stories that our patients and family members write about our nurses. It is very heartwarming to know that our nurses are getting the recognition that they deserve.

It is very good to be recognized. While performing their job at times many nurses do not recognize that they are going above and beyond. It is nice to be reminded of the big and small differences we can make with each and every patient.

I am so honored to be a part of the DAISY Award program here at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. Each month having the honor of reading all the nominations reminds me why I do what I do. Whenever I am having a bad day, or an incredibly long day a nurse who won the award or a family who has nominated a nurse will remind me that we are all here for the patients that we care for. To be able to provide this meaningful recognition to our staff is invaluable. We can never thank our nurses enough for doing what they do every day. The DAISY Award is a great way for us to recognize those that have been nominated and have been selected as the DAISY Award winner for the month. Meaningful recognition is vital for employee retention is the DAISY program is an easy and fun way to provide that meaningful recognition.

The DAISY program is an important part of our culture and recognition of nurses in our organization. I am constantly in awe of the work that our nurses do and how they touch so many lives every day. The DAISY Award program has highlighted this work through the nomination process. So thank you for this constant ability to expose this work and recognize caring for patients and families.

To do what nobody else will do, a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through; is to be a nurse.

Look in the mirror every day to reflect on the person you are in life!

It's wonderful that our patient's family thanked us, but don't you agree that we get so much more out of taking care of them? We would like to thank them for allowing us to be so intimate in their family dynamics, showing us their sense of pride or rejection for the course they have endured or is about to go through. We thank them for showing us how mind boggling this so called life is. We learn so much from them. Each one of them has a story to tell us either with words or through total silence. Their physical being simply teach us some life lessons. For all these things through interactions with our clients, we thank them deeply for helping us to understand them a little more. We thank them for sharing their intimate stories with us. Most importantly, we thank them for trusting in our medical decisions and for entrusting in us to advocate for them.

I must say as the DAISY Coordinator within my organization this role has validated the reason, “Why God has called me to serve others!” Each month as I read the nomination forms that the patients and families complete, it brings me great joy in knowing how awesome the care is that we provide here at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. I just want to thank the DAISY Foundation for giving us this great opportunity to recognize compassionate care at its finest!

I truly enjoy being the DAISY Coordinator for our hospital. It feels great when we give an award to a deserving nurse and they get teary eyed during the award ceremony. Thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful foundation!  I am working hard to have a successful program in San Diego.

To be Nationally recognized for doing a job that I love was such a great honor. As a fairly new nurse, I had only been working in traumatic brain injury for a little over a year when I was presented with The DAISY Award. The opportunity to be a part of a patient's recovery after brain trauma is truly a humbling experience-witnessing patients achieve the impossible everyday is extremely motivational and inspires passion in my nursing practice. 
The DAISY Award is a way to recognize exceptional people in the nursing field. This fosters a positive morale and creates standards of excellence for others to follow. It is easy to follow a nursing leader that is passionate about their practice-it inspires vision, motivates team members, creates unity, and is very contagious!

Though I honestly don’t feel like what I did was extraordinary, receiving the award was probably the most touching acknowledgement I will ever receive as a nurse.

Winning the DAISY Award truly was a defining moment in my nursing career.

As a recipient of the DAISY Award, I wear my DAISY pins school as well as in the community. The queries and smiles shared by those who understand the DAISY mission sometimes catalyze the actions of others who want to go beyond offering boxes of candy to nurses who care for their loved ones. I want to continue to recognize members of this august profession.

It's truly an honor to be a DAISY Award recipient especially so early in my career. There are many days we go home frustrated or upset rethinking our paths in life. However this award has solidified why I became and enjoy being a nurse. Having my coworkers, staff and families congratulate me and tell me I deserved the award brings tears to my eyes. Many of my patients do not know what impact they have on my life, and it's amazing to be acknowledged for the impact I have on theirs.

As chair of the PNC Recognition/Communications Committee, I love seeing how excited our staff is about the DAISY program.  We end every meeting with that month’s winner and it reminds us all on why we chose our profession.  Even though it can be challenging to choose one nomination amongst hundreds, our committee LOVES reading every single nomination and is dedicated to recognizing our amazing staff. 

"Just a touch of a healing hand can ease more than pain."

I'm so grateful and full of joy for the DAISY Award!  Being a nurse is my passion and to care for others is so rewarding.  I have my Award Portfolio and Healing Hand Sculpture on my Cocktail table and I wear my pin and button on my Favorite Scrub Jacket.  I'm really hoping I can be a service to the foundation!!

Being recognized as a DAISY Award honoree is a great accomplishment in the life of a nurse.

I must say this DAISY Foundation is absolutely amazing, and I am beyond honored to be considered a part of it. Receiving this award was one of the most memorable experiences of my nursing career! My statue is on my fireplace every day, and I love wearing my pin.

My first encounter with the DAISY program was when I was asked to be on our first DAISY committee at Piedmont Newnan Hospital. A year later, I was asked to Chair the committee. That was a little over 1 1/2 years ago. That gives me almost 3 years with the DAISY program now and I love it! 
During my nearly 30 years of Nursing (20+ of that in ICU and ER), I have experienced and witnessed countless DAISY situations. I and others were "just doing my job." Now although I am in management, I still provide patient care with outpatient GI procedures. During the first year of our DAISY program, I was nominated by one of my patients. Close to that same time, I was nominated for another Nursing Excellence Award as well. With those 2 experiences, I was in tears. After 25 years, I finally felt appreciated and validated as a nurse! Even though I strive to care for all my patients as if they are my own family, these simple yet profound words of gratitude from one of them brought me to tears and gave me comfort for all the difficult times in the past and strength for all those to come.
Having those experiences, I personally see many reasons why a program such as DAISY is so very important for our Nursing Profession. Being that bad news travels 10 times faster than good news, it has been my goal for our hospital to spot light our monthly DAISY to show the world the GREAT care our nurses give day in and day out! I headed the project for us to obtain a Large Healer's Touch for our 2015 Nurse's week! I want nurses to support each other instead of "eating our young" as I experienced in my young nursing career; therefore, I am delighted that going into our 3rd year of our DAISY program I have seen an increase in co-worker, nurse-to-nurse nominations! All of your information of how nurse recognition leads to nurse satisfaction leads to patient satisfaction is PERFECT! ...

Helping to bring the DAISY Award Program to my institution has been one of the highlights of my time on the Professional Nurse Council. I feel so blessed to have been a part of the recognition and celebration of so many of my colleagues and the extraordinary work they do everyday. The winners of the DAISY Award are truly an inspiration to their colleagues, their patients and families, their managers, and to myself. Watching the connections between nurse and patient/family while at the DAISY Award Presentation is so humbling and rewarding, it really is what the profession is all about. I love connecting the nurse and the patient once again and knowing that I have helped facilitate and create this special moment for them. Thank you DAISY Award Foundation!

We are so excited to bring the DAISY Award to Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southeastern Regional Medical Center. The excitement that is swelling at the hospital is amazing. And it is NOT just nurses! Today, one of our Executive Assistants accepted a DAISY nomination and she rushed into our area to tell us, ”We have our first DAISY nomination!!”   My EA is collecting the nominations, and she was glowing. Our PR team, hotel staff, and First Connections Team ... have been nothing short of amazing. I have never seen this much “all hospital” excitement.

We had 10 nurses write personal statements on why they wanted to be part of the inaugural DAISY Committee. We were so touched by their compassion, well…we have a committee of 10!! I could not be more proud.  We are thrilled to honor our nurses and the memory of Patrick. 

I cannot tell you how incredibly special this DAISY Award has been to me. It may sound crazy, but having received this award has made me a better nurse. The sense of pride that I feel when people that I barely know come up to congratulate me and tell me that no one deserves it more, it brings tears to my eyes each time. I honestly love to come to work every day. I love what I do, and who I do it with. I take such pride in being a CHOA nurse.

I want to thank you and your family for developing the DAISY Award. I was nominated by my co-workers and am a grateful recipient. This award came at a time when I have been struggling to keep my heart in my job, wondering if I should leave my job to do something that would be easier, less demanding of my time and energy. The death of a beloved co-worker from cancer a few months ago had added to my feeling that perhaps I should just move on rather than accept the challenge of training the new staff needed for our clinic. To have my co-worker honor me with this award was a complete surprise and a uplifting event for me. Please accept my thanks and admiration for your development of this positive program to honor nurses and encourage research that will help patients.

As I presented the award and told Patrick’s story again today, I was filled with both peace and admiration at the great work your foundation has done to honor ... those caring for patients and families around the world. Keep up the good work- I am proud to continue to carry the message.

My name is Robert Iseman and I am a RN.  I have been recently chosen for the DAISY Award for the month of Nov., nominated by a co-worker for care that I give my patients.  I just wanted to let you know how honored and truly blessed I am to be chosen for this wonderful award. It really touched my heart to be recognized for a wonderful award. Getting this award is very humbling, and it makes you feel appreciated in a job where you are recognized for the care you give patients rather from a hospital stand point where you have to meet quotas and numbers.  If it was not for our patients we would not be able to show that compassionate care we give from the heart.  If you could please thank the Barnes family for making it possible to receive an award of this caliber.  

"DAISY has been a fabulous experience for me and the committee seeking to ensure that all registered nurses and licensed practical nurses have potential to be recognized for the care they provide to Veteran patients every day."

Thank you for your DAISY efforts. Being a part of this recognition for my peers has enriched my life immensely.

The DAISY Award emphasizes the professionalism of the Registered Nurse. It reinforces the autonomy of nursing practice and how powerful each nurse’s action is on people’s lives. It is a reminder to me of why I'm here. When I hear the nomination stories, it makes me so proud and really connects me back to the staff.

Our DAISY celebration surpassed all of my wishes... The staff stayed around and visited with one another for a long time. Their families were so proud of them. It was truly a beautiful event, and it is all because of the wonderful foundation that you have started. Thank you for allowing us to be part of this special journey!

I have to tell you how thrilled I am that we have been involved with the DAISY Award & Foundation. I have been so fortunate to attend most all of the presentations to the nurses who have received them. You put it so well, that they are often surprised that they are being acknowledged for what they see that they do every day. My staff nurses are my own everyday heroes. The DAISY Award instills pride, improves morale and allows the important stories of nurses to be told. What you … have been able to accomplish is no less than phenomenal. I think you are Patrick's earth angels to carry a very important message and mission. I am so proud that we have been associated with the DAISY Foundation.... Forever, I am willing to continue to support this effort in any way. Thank you for being a part of our MCH life, and I wish you only so many more good things for the future.

The DAISY Award is a tremendous morale booster.  To be rewarded for compassionate care, as opposed to being rewarded for a new degree or an academic achievement, is very special.

There was so much positive feedback from our first ceremony that the momentum for nominees has continued. We had over 50 nominees for June…. We are so fortunate to have this program at ACH!

I wanted to express my sincere thanks for your support of Alameda County Medical Center today with the implementation of the DAISY Award. Today represented one of the most rewarding moments of my career as I observed the faces of our staff and the impact that this recognition initiative has on our nursing ranks. Many thanks and best wishes.

I truly believe that this was the most powerful and meaningful recognition I have seen nurses receive in my 40 years in nursing.

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with you and the phenomenal DAISY Foundation you represent. The DAISY Award has truly been a remarkable and very special nursing recognition that continues to draw out the best in terms of acknowledging the caring and compassion of our so very deserving “super-heroes”. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for imprinting this legacy on our organization.

“ 'To the world, you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.' I have seen many of my colleagues receive the DAISY Award who truly deserve recognition for their dedication to being that special somebody to every life they touch. I think it is wonderful that the DAISY Foundation encourages the recognition of outstanding caregivers on an international level. I am inspired to work among many DAISY Award recipients who make our organization and community a better place."

"When you're a nurse, you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours." Anonymous

"The DAISY program has been a great addition to our organization. The recognition not only touches the recipient but has also increased the comradery within the unit. The support for the recipient has been overwhelming and heartfelt."

“It's my chance to encourage others in the organization to use this exciting forum to recognize and celebrate the nurse who means so much to them.”

"I love being a part of an award that honors nurses for what we do all day, every day. What we feel is so little - means so much to our patients and families."

“It is always an honor to receive a nomination for DAISY Award. It reinforces the "real reason" I became a nurse- to treat everyone with the kindness and respect they deserve. Also, to treat everyone like a mother, father, sister, brother, loving friend, etc-which they are, and seeing beyond the person laying in the bed. My perspective of nursing is not to treat just a "body part", but to treat each patient holistically-body, mind, and soul, and to treat patient's family members with respect and dignity, as well.”

"I have always had a great admiration for past DAISY Honorees. After learning of the program’s history, I truly understood what a positive impact nurses have on their patient’s every day. I am so honored to be a part of such a reputable group of nurses!"

"In my opinion, it is the greatest honor a nurse could receive to be nominated by a patient or their family. They are the reason we do this amazing job!"

“Coordinating the extraordinary work that nurses do daily with every interaction, every encounter, every moment, every time is awesome. DAISY recognition is like a ripple of positivity throughout nursing through recognition and celebrations. DAISY to me a beautiful flower; the core is the patient, surrounded by the many petals of service to each patient all held up by the stem which is nursing supporting the beautiful gift of life. I am honored to represent DAISY it allows my profession to be showcased by the impactful work nurses do and the many lives we touch! Thank you, Barnes Family.”

“I was very surprised to be acknowledged at my hospital for the care that I honestly feel I am expected to provide to my little patients each shift. Taking care of children is very rewarding in itself. But to receive the DAISY Award actually validated and celebrated what I feel the motivation of a nurse should be towards her patients. Hearing the story submitted by a parent of a patient that I had cared for was a reminder of the effect and impression we can have on our families. Having administration, management, and co-workers be a part of the presentation was awesome. I felt so proud to be a nurse! Both the statue and a silk replication of the flowers that I was given as a DAISY Award winner still grace my fireplace mantle. When I look at the statue, it reminds me of Patrick's story, and the real reason that I am a nurse.”

"Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts." -Charles Dickens

"When I first learned of the DAISY program I was immediately touched personally. My son has an autoimmune illness and I can only imagine what Patrick Barnes went through. In coordinating our program I felt called to help implement this wonderful program as nurses deserve the recognition of the compassionate care we provide to our patients. With each award that is presented the nurses are always humble and honored to be recognized as a nurse who took the time to be with the patient. Thank you, Barnes Family for such a wonderful program."

"As a DAISY Coordinator I get to read all the incredible stories of all our wonderful and compassionate nurses that go above and beyond expectations to meet the needs of our patients and their families. I love having the chance to thank them for all they do and give them the recognition they deserve."

"Receiving The DAISY Award has affirmed my decision to be a nurse, continually reminds me why I do what I do, and motivates me to further excel in the care I give my patients."

“When I received my DAISY Award for Excellence in Nursing in 2012 it represented both the pinnacle of my nursing career and the sense of heartfelt warmth that only fellow nurses know when being acknowledged for doing what we all do best and realizing that some of those unheralded, financially unrewarded deeds were noticed and respected!! I was truly surprised, amazed and awed by the process and the warm ceremony that involved my family and co-workers. I am inspired to carry on this work so other nurses can experience the truly remarkable sense of their impact on our patients whom we love so much.”

"I will always be the nurse who made my patients smile, changed their sheets when they were wet or held their hand when no one else would- that is how I like to be remembered by my patients. This is one of the reasons why I was awarded the DAISY Award."

“I love the opportunity to recognize the amazing nurses we have here. Publicly rewarding stellar performance is the best way to encourage more of it, and it is meaningful for the nurses being recognized as well as their teams. I am very proud to be my organization's DAISY Coordinator and be part of their recognition.”

“DAISY lets me pass on the compassion for our passion for our infant and families for what is innate for all nurses to the generations of nurses to come.”

"My 14 yr. old son shared a Maya Angelou quote with me - 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel' I love it!"

"Doctors treat, Nurses heal"

"When we work with the people we care about, while doing the work we love, our health improves. Nursing is a gift to the world of human caring.  The DAISY Award embraces that caring BACK to the passionate NURSE. That is what DAISY is all about to me - giving back!"

“I love reading through the nominations from patients and families validating the great care we deliver at MH-TMC. Our monthly presentations are exciting and our winners are so humble. I am so proud to work side by side with such nursing partners!”

“The DAISY Award was a wonderful award to receive because it rewarded me for providing compassionate care to my patients. This award is very special because it is not about my degree or academic achievements. The DAISY Award is about how I care for my patients and shows that my patient's family and my co-workers see how much I love to care for others.”

"It is a joy and privilege to serve as our DAISY Coordinator and true blessing to be a part of such a remarkable program which recognizes nurses for the compassionate care they provide each and every day – not because they are directed to; but because it is who they are and because of the passion they share for their fellow man. A DAISY nurse is an extraordinary nurse because they keep the focus on the patient and family; maintaining the humanistic reality of nursing in focus. I have had the honor of meeting the Barnes family and hosting Tena as a guest presenter during one of our DAISY celebrations; all are truly amazing individuals who have impacted nursing far beyond what they can even imagine - what a blessing for our profession and a beautiful tribute to Patrick."

"I am so grateful for the recognition I received as I strive to care with the utmost compassion. It definitely brought tears to my eyes to hear how appreciated I am by the families I care for and my coworkers, who support me during harder days."

At our hospital, there is already a strong caring base. We start every meeting with a story of caring. With the addition of The DAISY Award, we are never without a caring story. All the nominations come to me first before I send them to the Council that runs the program. I carry them around in a notebook so I always have a story. DAISY fits our philosophy and Jean Watson’s Caring Theory perfectly.

I just wanted to share with her how important the DAISY Award is.....what we get in nominations brings tears to the eyes of staff who help us review them. At the presentations, there isn't a dry eye in the room....yet nurses don't see what they do as "special". Consistently they say it's just what they do, not unusual. Your award lets them KNOW it is special. Thank you so much for creating the DAISY Award! Our staff are touched by it!

"It is a great honor to be a DAISY Honoree. Having this prestigious award shows that one not only cares for patients but cared for another human being. Not all nursing skills can be learned by reading a book or learning a skill. This award embodies what is means to truly be a Nurse."

"Every day we have multiple opportunities to recognize nursing excellence but in our busy schedules and fast paced environments, we fail to do so. It is privilege to use the DAISY award to help us focus on this important aspect of our practice--celebrating nurses who provide compassionate, sensitive, and evidence based care to patients and families. It is a joy and a privilege to help orchestrate and support our DAISY award program here and to tell the story of its creation at each of our award ceremonies."

“To me The DAISY Award is the most significant award granted to a nurse. It is the one recognition that exemplifies the true meaning of nursing which cannot be measured by technical skill or by formal education but by the true essence of nursing, the "thing" that makes a nurse so special, the reasons why a person decides to become a nurse the "thing" you cannot identify but you can feel.”

“Every awarding of the DAISY is special. I most enjoy the symbolism and global connection with the Healer's touch.”

“As a DAISY Coordinator it is an honor to help recognize the important work our nurses do each day, and the way they individually touch the lives of our patients' and their families.”

“I am proud to be a DAISY Honoree because it is validation of the work I do every day, work that sometimes goes unnoticed.”

“I love having the tools and resources that DAISY gives me to recognize the extraordinary care that the nurses at Rutland Regional provide.”

Receiving my DAISY Award was such a humbling experience. I was absolutely shocked and speechless! I was born to be a nurse and nursing is my passion. To be honored by patients and families, as well as celebrated by administration and colleagues is an extraordinary experience! I had the ability to thank Mark and Bonnie Barnes in person at an ANCC Conference which is one of the highlights of my career. To be parents that turn their deepest loss into a positive experience honoring nurses internationally speaks volumes for the type of people they are. I am honored to be part of the DAISY family.

"I first learned of DAISY when I was working in the NICU at Inova FFX Hospital. I remember feeling overwhelmed, and rather impressed that a national organization awarded nurses for doing what just comes natural. Compassion, for without it, one might not consider nursing as a profession. DAISY awards fill the proverbial 'empty tank' that often comes with endless hours of caring for patients. MANY years later, I was privileged to work in an organization that started the Magnet Journey. It was at my first conference I saw that oh so familiar DAISY logo, and once again my heartstrings were pulling. "Wow" I said to myself, I love that flower award! Gratefully, my CNE was more than happy to have me bring DAISY to our organization, which is a Planetree designated facility, which mirrors DAISY efforts.

Three years later, I watched the faces of the directors, senior management, and the nurses that are honored with this award. There are really no words to express how it feels to be recognized by leadership for what they thought was "their job". I could go on about DAISY endlessly, but I am sure this little text box will eventually stop me, so I will end with this........for me, caring for patients with skill and compassion is my honor, not my job, but knowing DAISY exists gives me an opportunity to realize that what we do is 'Super Human"