DAISY Award (Nursing Recognition Program)

DAISY Award - Nursing Excellence Recognition

The DAISY Award recognizes exceptional nurses at Donalsonville Hospital for their extraordinary compassionate and skillful patient care. This is an internal employee recognition program administered through The DAISY Foundation.

Award History:

• The DAISY Award was founded by the Barnes family in 1999 in honor of their son Patrick Barnes, who received exceptional care during his eight-week hospitalization for ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenia)
• The award is now recognized in healthcare organizations worldwide
• Donalsonville Hospital has celebrated DAISY Award recipients biannually (June/July and December/January cycles)

Geographic Scope: Donalsonville Hospital, Donalsonville, Georgia

Eligible Nominees:

• Licensed Registered Nurses (RN)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
• Nursing Faculty
• Nursing Students

Who Can Nominate:

• Patients
• Family members of patients
• Colleagues/coworkers
• Healthcare team members

Selection Criteria:

• Extraordinary compassionate care
• Exceptional patient care skills
• Clinical excellence
• Meaningful connections with patients and families
• Embodiment of nursing values
• Leadership in patient care

Award Recognition Includes:

• Hand-carved Healer's Touch Sculpture from Zimbabwe
• DAISY Award certificate of honor
• Additional gifts and tokens of appreciation
• Public recognition at ceremony
• Professional development and wellness benefits

Nominee Recognition:

• DAISY Nominee pin
• Copy of nomination document
• Acknowledgment at award ceremony

Schedule (Semi-Annual):

• Summer/July ceremony (typically early July)
• Winter/December ceremony (typically December/January)

Recent Award Recipients:

• 2025 (January): Brandi Phillips, LPN
• 2024 (June): Myra Davis, RN
• 2025 (July): Chrystal Smith, RN, OR Supervisor

Contact Information:

• Donalsonville Hospital
• 102 Hospital Circle
• Donalsonville, GA 39845
• Phone: 229-524-5217

Nomination Process

Submission Methods:

1. Online Nomination: Submit through The DAISY Foundation website at https://www.daisyfoundation.org/daisy-award/thank-your-nurse-nomination
2. Paper Form: Pick up paper nomination forms at Donalsonville Hospital front desk
3. Mail: Mail completed forms to Donalsonville Hospital (address below)

Who Can Submit Nominations:

• Patients who received care
• Family members of patients
• Colleagues and coworkers
• Any individual who witnessed exceptional nursing care

Required Information in Nomination:

• Nurse's name and title/department
• Specific examples of exceptional care provided
• How the nurse made a difference in patient/family experience
• Nominator's contact information

Timeline:

• Applications accepted on rolling basis
• Next deadline for December 2025 DAISY Award: [See current award cycles]
• Selection occurs prior to ceremony dates

Submission Address:
Donalsonville Hospital
102 Hospital Circle
Donalsonville, GA 39845
Phone: 229-524-5217

Award Announcement:

• Recipients announced at biannual ceremony
• Public celebration event held at hospital
• Recognition shared in hospital communications