Daisy Award
The DAISY Foundation was established in 2000 by the Barnes family in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. Having been touched by the remarkable care, clinical skills and compassion demonstrated by nurses during Patrick's illness, the Barnes family made it their mission to recognize exceptional nurses around the world.
A DAISY Award will be given once a month. The monthly award winner will be recognized at a ceremony and will receive a framed certificate, a DAISY Award signature lapel pin and a hand-carved stone sculpture entitled A Healer's Touch. Additionally, the unit or department of the recipient will receive Cinnabon's cinnamon rolls—a favorite of Patrick's during his illness—with the sentiment that the heavenly aroma will remind them how special they are and how important their work is.
Nurses that receive The DAISY Award personify Children's of Alabama's remarkable patient experience. These individuals consistently demonstrate excellence by:
- Serving as a role model for the nursing profession
- Demonstrating a caring attitude in all situations
- Communicating with compassion, using words the patient and family understand
- Making a significant difference in the life of a patient
2025 Daisy Award Recipients
-
June 2025 Recipient – Al Bonds, 9 Quarterback
Congratulations to Al Bonds, 9 Quarterback, for receiving the June 2025 DAISY Award. His nomination read, in part, "{Al} has taken care of my son over 2 different stays (a year apart) and has left a lasting positive impression on us. Both stays, his scavenger hunts around the unit gave him motivation to get up and move around. Bringing joy and distraction from pain after surgery... He was always cheerful, calm, and patient with him, even when he wasn’t at his best, he had a way of making him, and us, comfortable and feel empowered." Congratulations, Al!
-
May 2025 Recipient – Lauren Quigley, RN, Emergency Department
Congratulations to Lauren Quigley, RN, Emergency Department, who was recognized with the May 2025 DAISY Award in a surprise ceremony. Her nomination read, in part, "We came to the Children’s Emergency Department, and we were pretty scared considering her vital signs and symptoms. {Lauren} came into the room and immediately put us at ease. My daughter has always had a hard time with needles, and she was so patient when starting her IV and went out of her way to ensure my daughter was comfortable with the procedure... We were so thankful to have someone like her in our corner when we were unsure of what was happening with our daughter... She is a truly special nurse and deserves recognition for her patience and professionalism." Congratulations, Lauren!
-
April 2025 Recipient – Jenny Raymond, RN, Pediatric ENT Associates
Congratulations to Jenny Raymond, RN, Pediatric ENT Associates, who was recently recognized with the latest DAISY Award in a surprise ceremony. Her nomination read, in part, "Our daughter would like to highly recommend her to receive the DAISY Award. She has been our best cochlear implant coordinator for not one, but all three of my daughters who have been at Children’s of Alabama. She always has a positive attitude... The health profession is a very noble profession, but when a nurse goes above and beyond it is recognized... She has ALWAYS made me feel my children were safe, loved, cared for and important." Congratulations, Jenny!
-
March 2025 Recipient – Danae Shemansky, PICU
Congratulations to Danae Shemansky, RN, PICU, who was recognized with the most recent DAISY Award! Her nomination read, in part, ""To say that Danae made a significant difference in the life of a patient is an understatement—Danae saved my son’s life! I think about her and say a prayer of thanks for her at least once every single day." Congratulations, Danae!
-
McKenzie Babb, RN, Hematology/Oncology
Congratulations to McKenzie Babb, RN, Hematology/Oncology, who was recognized with the latest DAISY Award! Her nomination read, in part, "My daughter is 4 years old and recently diagnosed with leukemia. During this time, everything seemed like a blur until we got on 8 Quarterback. McKenzie was phenomenal. She was sweet and compassionate. I shared with her our religious beliefs, and she asked if she could pray with us over the first dose of chemo. She has checked on us every day since. Everyone is amazing, but our Miss Kenzie is a walking saving grace during this dark time of diagnosis. EVERYONE NEEDS A MCKENZIE!" Congratulations, McKenzie!
-
Kay Scarborough, RN, BSN, CPN, Pediatric ENT
Congratulations to Kay Scarborough, RN, BSN, CPN, Pediatric ENT, who was recognized with the January 2025 DAISY Award in a surprise ceremony. Her nomination read, in part, "Kay is the best of the best! Kay led our family through a very difficult time with exceptional clinical expertise and extraordinary compassion... Kay communicated with us clearly and regularly, and she went above and beyond to help us with complicated logistics surrounding our surgery date. This was so significant because we live two hours away from Children's... Kay's dedication to high quality nursing care was a huge blessing to our family and she made our experience at Children's of Alabama exceptional." Congratulations, Kay!
