UB Nursing Students and Faculty Receive The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing

Nursing faculty nominated three traditional program students (Kerry Koon, Angelique Lapitan and Paloma Tripathi) and three ABS students (Nora Holt, Gabriella Mameli and Alea Manzella). Each nominee received a certificate of recognition.

The two award winners were Paloma Tripathi (traditional program) and Alea Manzella (ABS program).

"Receiving this award means the world to me because being a nurse is so much more than just a profession,” says Tripathi. “Being able to care for somebody in their most vulnerable moments and being able to support them through the healing process has been a more rewarding experience than I could have ever imagined. I wanted to thank my clinical professor, Professor Riester, for the nomination because she set a great example on how to provide compassionate and holistic care for patients. I have always wanted to be a nurse and make an impact on patients’ lives on a day-to-day basis. This award means so much to me and I can't wait to pay it forward! Thank you so much, UB School of Nursing!"

“I am honored and overjoyed to have received such a special and meaningful award,” says Manzella. “I cannot thank my clinical instructors enough, Professor Field and Professor Kuhn, for nominating me for this award and for providing me with an unforgettable maternal newborn clinical experience. Receiving the DAISY award has furthered my drive to provide continuous compassionate care to patients and it is something I will carry with me throughout my nursing career. Thank you!”

This year, for the first time, students nominated faculty members (Margaret Doerzbacher, MS, RN, NNP-BC; Donna Fabry, DNP, CNS, RN; Jennifer Guay, DNP, CNM; and Gale Klinshaw MSN, RN) to receive the DAISY Faculty Award. The faculty award winner was Gale Klinshaw.

“For the past three years, I have enjoyed facilitating the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Students,” Klinshaw says. “Receiving the DAISY Faculty Award, nominated by our students, is one of the highlights of my career. Being the first makes it that much more meaningful.”

The DAISY Foundation established The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students as a national recognition program to celebrate nursing students who make the nurse-patient connection that makes such a difference in the health care experience. DAISY awards are given to nurses who demonstrate great clinical skills and leadership and strong patient care and compassion.