Karen Keady, Gretchen McCullough and Meg Rush during the ceremony for the opening of the new digital DAISY Award display. (photo by Donn Jones)
In the heart of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt hospital leaders recently unveiled a new display dedicated to honoring pediatric nurses who receive a DAISY Award.
The display, located across from the Twice Daily Café food court and just outside the Seacrest Studios stage area, was created to celebrate the compassion, excellence and impact Monroe Carell nurses have every day on children and families. It was intentionally positioned on the hospital’s Main Street, a central space where patients, families and hospital staff pass daily.
The DAISY Award, created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after his passing from an autoimmune disease, honors nurses who go above and beyond in delivering care marked by kindness and humanity. Pulling from a selection of nominations, the Monroe Carell award committee bestows Daisy Awards to nurses, nurse leaders and nursing teams.
“This display stands as a powerful symbol of gratitude — not just for exceptional care, but for the heart and soul of nursing itself,” said Gretchen McCullough, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer of Monroe Carell. “By placing this tribute here, we create an opportunity for everyone to engage in the DAISY program, learn about its meaning, and join us in honoring nurses who go above and beyond in their care.”
Visitors to the display will see featured winners and can also scan a QR code to nominate a nurse who has made a difference in their care.
During the unveiling, McCullough noted that the DAISY Award serves as a reminder that nursing is not only about clinical skill, but also about “the compassion, the kindness, and the humanity nurses bring to their patients every single day.”
System Chief Nursing Officer for Vanderbilt Health Karen Keady, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, reflected on the significance of this recognition.
“This is a joyful tribute to nurses,” she said. “The DAISY Award is rooted in a family’s wish to honor extraordinary care, and that’s the beauty of it. Patients and families are the ones who see and celebrate our nurses, and their gratitude is the ultimate recognition.”
The ceremony also featured a heartfelt video message from Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, co-founder of the DAISY Foundation, who expressed pride in the hospital’s commitment to the program. She told attendees that the nominations reflect the same compassionate care that inspired the foundation’s creation decades ago.
“You build trust out of fear and create smiles out of tears,” Barnes said. “Every time you walk by this display, may you remember the impact you are having not only on your patients but also on their families. You are making a difference.”
