What is the Daisy Award?

The DAISY Foundation logo - Honoring nurses internationally in memory of J. Patrick Barnes.

The DAISY Award is an international program, recognized nationwide and in 33 countries, which celebrates and rewards nurses, nurse leaders and nursing teams that exhibit extraordinary care, exemplified in compassionate care and excellent clinical skills.

The DAISY Foundation was created in 1999 by the Family of J. Patrick Barnes who died at the age of 33, due to complications of an autoimmune disease, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP). DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Auto Immune System.

Patrick received extraordinary care from his nurses and his family felt compelled to express their profound gratitude for the compassion and skill nurses bring to their patients and families every day. It was their goal, through the Foundation they created in Pat’s memory, to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make a “difference” in the lives of their patients and their patients’ families.

Want to thank someone who's not a nurse? Visit the Honor Your Caregiver webpage.

The DAISY Award is used to recognize nurses, nurse leaders and nurse teams at UK HealthCare for their excellence in patient care. Follow the award category links below to make your nomination.

Nurse Award

Leader Award

Team Award