DAISY Award

The DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses recognizes the super-human work nurses do everyday. It was established by the DAISY Foundation—a foundation for the elimination of Diseases Attacking the Immune System in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Mr. Barnes' parents established the foundation in Patrick's memory, because they had experienced first hand the skills as well as the caring and compassion of many nurses. They currently give the award to 14 hospitals in the United States, mostly on the West Coast.

Patrick Barnes' former wife has remarried, lives in Atlanta, and recently had a newborn at Piedmont Hospital's NICU. She experienced new examples of skilled as well as caring and compassionate nurses in our NICU. As a result of that, the late Mr. Barnes' parents, Mark and Bonnie Barnes, have decided to offer the DAISY award to nurses at Piedmont Hospital.

The award will be given monthly, beginning in August, to an outstanding nurse. The award will consist of dinner for two at a great restaurant, a one-hour massage, a hand-carved "Healers Touch" sculpture, a big bunch of daisies, and a personalized certificate "Extraordinary Nurse." The nursing unit where the recipient works will also receive Cinnabon cinnamon buns on the day of the presentation.

Please nominate someone who portrays the characteristics of a caring and compassionate nurse. Patients and their families may also nominate a staff nurse.