Everyday Care

Celebrating Extraordinary Nurses: The DAISY Award Comes to Oswego Health

At Oswego Health, we believe that extraordinary care deserves extraordinary recognition. That’s why we’re proud to announce the official launch of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses—a nationally respected program that shines a spotlight on the clinical skill and compassionate care provided by nurses every day.

The DAISY Award, which stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, was founded by the family of Patrick Barnes, who passed away from complications of an autoimmune disease. Moved by the heartfelt care nurses provided during Patrick’s final days, his family created this powerful recognition program to ensure nurses around the country receive the thanks and admiration they truly deserve.

At Oswego Health, the DAISY Award will be presented annually at the Oswego Health Foundation Gala. The recipient is someone who consistently goes above and beyond—demonstrating outstanding clinical expertise, remarkable empathy, and a steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of their patients and families. In addition to being recognized publicly, the honoree will receive a DAISY Award certificate and the symbolic “Healer’s Touch” sculpture.

But we’re not stopping there.

To keep the spirit of DAISY alive all year long, quarterly celebrations will be held for all DAISY nominees, featuring a special touch: cinnamon rolls, Patrick Barnes’ favorite treat. It’s a sweet and meaningful way to honor the impact of nursing care.

Nominate a Nurse Who Made a Difference

Patients, families, visitors, and fellow team members are all encouraged to submit nominations for the DAISY Award. It’s easy to do:

• Online: Submit an electronic nomination form on our official website.

• In Person: Pick up and drop off a paper nomination form at any Oswego Health facility. Our volunteers regularly collect these for review by the DAISY Award committee.

By launching the DAISY Award, Oswego Health is reinforcing its commitment to recognizing the human connection at the heart of healthcare. To all the nurses who make healing more humane, compassionate, and personal—thank you.