The DAISY Award is a worldwide program that rewards remarkable care, clinical skills and extraordinary compassion in nursing. It is given to outstanding licensed nursing professionals in more than 2,000 health care facilities worldwide.
Award history
The award was established in 1999, by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Having been touched by the remarkable care demonstrated by nurses during Patrick’s illness, the Barnes family made it their mission to recognize exceptional nurses with the DAISY Award.
DAISY Award recognition
Each DAISY Award recipient is recognized with a certificate and a hand-carved stone sculpture entitled “A Healer’s Touch.” Additionally, the recipient’s team receives cinnamon rolls — a favorite of Patrick’s during his illness — with the sentiment that the heavenly aroma will remind them how special they are and how important their work is. The recipient’s unit receives a banner to hang in their unit for the month.
Daisy Award recipients at UW Health will personify our remarkable patient and family experience. They will consistently demonstrate excellence through UW Health values of innovation, integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence.
DAISY Award winner spotlight: Kristin Powell
Nurse Kristin Powell received a heartfelt hug from Tamra Burkhamer, a grateful family member of a patient who nominated Kristin for a DAISY Award for the remarkable care and extraordinary compassion she provided to her mother during her time at University Hospital. Kristin received the award in front of her unit teammates and the patient’s family.
“Kristin will always be remembered by us as an angel here on earth. We couldn’t have asked for anyone better to take care of my mom (and us)! Kristin is a phenomenal nurse, a beautiful person and an extraordinary asset to University Hospital and the hematology/oncology unit,” Tamra wrote in nominating Kristin for the award.
“Whether she realizes it or not, Kristin made a huge difference to all of us and there is no way that we could ever thank her enough. I hope this nomination for the DAISY Award at least lets her know just how very important she was in our lives and how fondly we will always remember her and the compassionate care she provided for all of us.”
How to nominate an extraordinary nurse
DAISY Award recipients personify the remarkable patient experience at UW Health. Patients, patients’ families or visitors can nominate a deserving nurse by completing an online nomination form.