The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) is proud to honor its outstanding nurses with the DAISY Award—an international recognition program that celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide to patients and families every day. The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at 33 of an autoimmune disease. The Barnes family was awestruck by the clinical skills and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, so it created this award to say thank-you to nurses everywhere.
Recent DAISY Award winners at JHH:
2023 Team Award | Bloomberg 10 North
The Bloomberg 10 North Team (pictured above) was selected out of 61 outstanding nominations. The nomination letter cited care the interdisciplinary team provided to a “short-term” patient who ended up staying nearly a year. “The love that they showed this child was immeasurable. When other names and faces changed, THEY were his constant.”
July 2023 | Jessica Groom
Jessica Groom, a specialty nurse in the department of surgery, was nominated by a patient who has relied on Groom’s knowledge, expertise, and compassion during her ongoing treatment. The patient writes about Groom’s physical and emotional support during difficult moments. “Not only do I see an exceptional nurse in Jess, but I’ve come to see a great friend in her too.”
August 2023 | Mackenzee Neiswender
Mackenzee Neiswender, an RN II on Bloomberg 11 South (pediatric inpatient oncology), was nominated for kindness, skilled care, and unwavering encouragement. A mother singled out the special bond Neiswender worked to develop with her daughter that has helped the family get through a challenging time. “She encourages my little girl to keep pushing, even on the hardest days.”
September 2023 | Madison Ropp
RN Madison Ropp of Nelson 8 was nominated by a grateful patient who raved about her support, kindness, and understanding, noting that even the smallest gestures can have a tremendous impact. “Even with all of the other patients she has to take care of, Maddie has a way of making you feel like you’re the only one she has! I’ve never had a better nurse.”
October 2023 | Ashley Thomas
Ashley Thomas, lead clinical nurse from the Comprehensive Transplant Unit, used “definitive focus and quick critical thinking” to solve a patient emergency. Afterward, Thomas took time to debrief and check-in with her orientee and the entire team. “It takes an expert nurse and leader to provide outstanding compassionate care, while also caring for her team and for herself during the process.”
November 2023 | Kelly Wright
Kelly Wright, a lead clinical nurse from Nelson 8, was nominated by a colleague for her determination to help a patient leave the hospital to see his wife one last time. This tremendous act of caring made a lasting impact on the family, as well as her colleagues: “She is truly one of the most compassionate and hard-working nurses for her patients that I have ever worked with.”
December 2023 | Amiee Stanton
A physician nominated Amiee Stanton, a lead clinical nurse in the pediatric emergency department, not only for her clinical expertise but also her caring with a family losing a child. “Amiee remained a rock. … She maintained an emotional strength, while also anticipating the family’s needs and facilitating the coordination of the whole health care team.”
January 2024 | Anastasia Stodolski
Anastasia Stodolski, an RN II from Zayed 11W, was nominated by the granddaughter of a patient for her grace, kindness, and gentle support. When the patient’s granddaughter learned some difficult news, Stodolski’s compassion made a world of difference: “That nurse’s small gesture meant more to me than anyone could even understand.”