Bright Futures

At Phoenix Children’s, the DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses honors and celebrates the exceptional, heartfelt care and dedication nurses bring to their profession. The DAISY Award echoes the sentiments of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to acknowledge the remarkable care our nurses provide patients and families.

Origin of the DAISY Award

The DAISY Award was born out of a desire to commemorate the life of J. Patrick Barnes, whose battle with the autoimmune disease idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) ended tragically at the age of 33.

During Patrick’s 8-week hospitalization, his family witnessed the nurses’ profound impact on his well-being and the emotional support they offered his entire family.

Out of this experience, the DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 to honor nurses who go above and beyond, providing extraordinary care in the face of adversity. The acronym DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.

Today, more than 5,000 healthcare organizations worldwide are committed to honoring their nurses with the DAISY Award.

Learn more about the DAISY Foundation or DAISY Award.

Nomination and selection process

Nominations can be submitted by patients, their families, or fellow staff who have witnessed these nurses’ exceptional dedication. Any licensed nursing staff can be nominated.

The Nursing Practice Council at Phoenix Children’s selects an award honoree based on criteria developed by nursing staff:

• Partners with children and families to provide family-centered care
• Promotes health and provides comfort to patients
• Demonstrates excellent evidence-based care
• Honors the uniqueness and dignity of each child and family
• Collaborates with all members of the healthcare team

A celebration of excellence

The heartfelt celebrations of the DAISY Award occur throughout the year at gatherings attended by Phoenix Children’s staff.

Honorees receive a certificate commending them as an Extraordinary Nurse, a DAISY Award lapel pin, and a unique, hand-carved sculpture called A Healer’s Touch.

Additionally, everyone in the honoree’s unit will enjoy cinnamon rolls—a favorite of Patrick’s during his illness. The Barnes family asks that whenever or wherever nurses smell the wonderful aroma of cinnamon rolls, they stop for a moment and think about how special they are.

Every nomination is meaningful, so every nurse who is nominated receives a copy of their nomination and a unique DAISY nominee lapel pin.

Nominate a nurse

Click below to nominate a Phoenix Children’s nurse as a deserving recipient of the DAISY Award.

Nominate in English Nominar en español