As the healthcare landscape becomes more complex, with increasing demands on Nurse Leaders, we believe that those who create an environment of compassion and recognition for others strongly deserve to be recognized themselves.

Despite working under tremendous pressure, through their leadership, these Nurse Leaders provide a haven of safety for staff, both physically and emotionally. In this environment, Nurses are inspired to do their very best by Nurse Leaders who role-model caring behaviors. These leaders provide a setting where compassion is valued, and staff, in turn, treat patients and their families with deep humanity.

The DAISY Award is supported by the not-for-profit DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation.  Bonnie and J. Mark Barnes created this foundation and award as a way to remember their son, J. Patrick Barnes.  Patrick had a disease that attacked his body and required him to be in the hospital for a long time.  His nurses did such a great job caring for him that the Barnes family created an award that recognizes nurses throughout the country every day.