An acronym for "Diseases Attacking the Immune System," the DAISY Foundation was formed in November 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The nursing care Patrick received when hospitalized profoundly touched his family. Patrick's family created the DAISY Award in honor of the nurses who provided extraordinary care to him during his hospital stays.
Now, more than 4,300 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing in all 50 states and in countries around the world are committed to honoring nurses with the DAISY Award. Extraordinary nurses can be nominated for a DAISY Award by anyone in the organization—patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians and staff—anyone who experiences or observes exceptionally compassionate care provided by a nurse.
DAISY Award recipients at T.J. Regional Health are honored with a DAISY Award pin, a sculpture called "The Healer's Touch," a certificate, and, of course, a bouquet of daisies!
Award winners are also featured on the T.J. Regional Health Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as the employee newsletter.
Each DAISY Award winner also signs a large celebratory banner that hangs in the recipient's unit for at least a month.