UB SON Celebrates Second DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nursing Students

Nursing faculty nominated four traditional program students (Annalise Boyer, Jessica Lien Nguyen, Adam Marra and Somadina Orebueze) and two ABS students (Amanda Wade and Courtney Chapman). Each nominee received a certificate of recognition.

The two award winners were Jessica Lien Nguyen (traditional program) and Amanda Wade, MPH (ABS program).

“Receiving the DAISY award is such an honor and truly so humbling,” says Ngyuen. “This award will always remind me that the littlest acts of kindness can leave bigger impacts than we ever imagine. Thank you to all my instructors – especially Professor Schueler – nurses, and classmates who continuously teach and show me what being a caring and compassionate nurse is.”

“Nurses have the privilege of caring for people and families in times of great vulnerability, entrusted with preserving human dignity through true person-centered care,” says Wade. "To be given this award in recognition of a commitment to compassion and the nurse-patient relationship as a student early in my nursing career is a great honor. I am so proud to be placed among the amazing nurses across the country who have received this award.”

The award winners receive a certificate, a DAISY award pin, a hand-carved serpentine stone Healer's Touch sculpture from Zimbabwe, and a feature on the DAISY foundation website.

The DAISY – Diseases Attacking the Immune System – awards were founded in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 due to complications from an autoimmune disease. The nursing care Patrick received profoundly touched his family, and they wanted to say “thank you” to nurses everywhere by establishing a recognition program.

DAISY awards are given to nurses who demonstrate great clinical skills and leadership and strong patient care and compassion.

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.

“UB SON continues to acknowledge our undergraduate nursing students commitment and compassion to the patients they serve with the DAISY nursing student award,” says Cathy Mann, assistant dean for undergraduate studies. “Awareness of the connection between nurses and patients and their commitment to caring for those in need is heightened as our students work side by side with nurses during the COVID pandemic.”

Learn more about the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students