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
2026 Daisy Award Recipients
June 2026 Daisy Award Recipient
Congratulations to Sharee Maune, Acute Care Unit, who received the June 2026 DAISY Award. Her nomination read, in part, "In June of 2026, I was admitted unexpectedly for a kidney infection that could only be treated with IV antibiotics. On the second night of my stay, Sharee was my night time nurse. My mom and I were so tired, having been up all night from constant vital checks, medication and blood draws. Sharee immediately listened and cared... She then discussed all that was to come overnight and how we could reduce the interruptions. When she found out I was an upcoming nursing student, she told me all about what was happening using nursing terms and then explained them... I know this sound like such a simple story. Sharee simply did her job well and showed me the kind of nurse I hope to be. I will be forever grateful for Sharee being the best nurse and confirming my choice to be a nurse in the future." Congrats, Sharee!
April 2026 Daisy Award Recipient
Congratulations to Briana Woods, Lactation, who received the April 2026 DAISY Award. Her nomination read, in part, "I had a very unexpected visit and stay at Children's with my 3 week old... Briana totally turned our day around! She was so helpful with my baby, who was inconsolable... She truly cared about her patients and took the time to go above and beyond to help a mother in need/a patient. She exhausted all options to find solutions to our problems and truly made us feel like we were the only people in the hospital. I have been a nurse for 15 years, and Briana is one of the best nurses I have ever met. Every nurse needs a heart as big as hers! We all can learn from her and make healthcare a better place!!" Congrats, Briana!
May 2026 Daisy Award Recipient
Congratulations to Toni Odom, 10 Harbert, who was recently recognized with the DAISY Award. Her nomination read, in part, "Our son had orthopedic surgeries and was experiencing more pain that he was communicating... Toni worked with us to write out a schedule for pain medication to ensure we stayed ahead of his pain rather than chasing it... He was comfortable with her and saw her as someone he trusted... As if that was not enough, Toni was encouraging to us as parents. She helped answer questions and ease worries... When we saw Toni walk in the room, we knew our son was going to have a good day with both his physical recovery and his mental wellbeing." Congrats, Toni!
March 2026 Daisy Award Recipient
Congratulations to Amy Martin, Infusion Clinic, who recently received the March 2026 DAISY Award. Her nomination read, in part, "During one of the hardest times for our family, Amy took care of my son in a way I’ll never forget. My son is autistic, and she was so patient and intentional with him. She found ways to make him smile and laugh and made him feel safe... She also took the time to answer every question me and my husband had and never made us feel rushed or dismissed... Amy is truly an amazing nurse and person. She made a lasting impact on our family, and I’ll always be grateful for the care she gave my son." Congrats, Amy!
June 2026 Recipient — Sharee Maune
May 2026 Recipient — Toni Odom
April 2026 Recipient — Briana Robinson
March 2026 Recipient — Amy Martin
February 2026 Recipient — Kristina Greenwood
January 2026 Recipient — Carleigh Duckworth
December 2025 Recipient — Caitlin McCoy
November 2025 Recipient — Ashlyn Anderson
October 2025 Recipient — Lara Dillon
September 2025 Recipient — Betsy Wintersteen
August 2025 Recipient — Abi Capouya
July 2025 Recipient — Savannah Myers
June 2025 Recipient — Al Bonds
May 2025 Recipient — Lauren Quigley
April 2025 Recipient — Jenny Raymond
March 2025 Recipient — Danae Shemansky
February 2025 Recipient — McKenzie Babb
January 2025 Recipient — Kay Scarborough
December 2024 Recipient — Gracie Aaron
November 2024 Recipient — Alexis Cagle
October 2024 Recipient — Valorie Eicher
September 2024 Recipient — Austin Warren
August 2024 Recipient — Katherine Campbell
July 2024 Recipient — Alyssa Harris
June 2024 Recipient — Alyssa Noland
May 2024 Recipient — Christy Taylor
April 2024 Recipient — Laura Kersey
March 2024 Recipient —Sara Bugg
February 2024 Recipient —Laura Turchiano
January 2024 Recipient—Brandi Cruz
December 2023 Recipient— Britney Foster
November 2023 Recipient— Makayla Stokes
October 2023 Recipient— Ryan Pate
September 2023 Recipient— Kasie Hepp
August 2023 Recipient— Kinley Sandlin
July 2023 Recipient—Taylor Jones
June 2023 Recipient—Megan Cook
May 2023 Recipient—Victoria (Vickie) Reid
April 2023 Recipient—(Andrea) Mickey Armstrong
March 2023 Recipient—Taylor Nicole Noah
February 2023 Recipient—Haley Langley
January 2023 Recipient—Anna Catherine Pacer
December 2022 Recipient—Carly Cahela – 8 QB
November 2022 Recipient—Chloe Wade – Float Pool
October 2022 Recipient—Al Bonds – 9 QB
September 2022 Recipient—Brooke Owens – PICU
August 2022 Recipient—Courtney Zimmer – NICU
July 2022 Recipient—Brianna Master – SCU
June 2022 Recipient—Morgan Thorton – SCU
May 2022 Recipient—Hannah Clark – CVICU
April 2022 Recipient—Adele Fink – SCU
March 2022 Recipient—McKenzie Babb – 8 QB
February 2022 Recipient—Allyson McCay – CVOR
January 2022 Recipient—Erin Campbell – 9 Harbert
December 2021—Michael Salak – PICU
November 2021—Palmer Fant – CCU
October 2021—Cindy Brown – 9 QB
September 2021—Tammy Newman – Psych
August 2021—Morgan Corder – CVICU
July 2021—Leland Johnson – 9 QB
June 2021—Chase Orozco – CCU
May 2021—Amber Jordan – SCU
April 2021—Tracy Barefield – Clinic 8
March 2021—Allison Monaco – 10 QB
February 2021—Caroline Hall – PICU
January 2021—Chloe Wade – 7 Dearth
December 2020—Al Bonds – 9 QB
November 2020—Emma Caitlin Pitts – NICU
October 2020—Mary Parker Bruno – CCU
September 2020—Madison Simpson – 10 Harbert
August 2020—Lacey Entrekin – 8 QB
July 2020—Kasey Rice – Burn Unit
June 2020—Victoria Gonzalez – PeriOp South
May 2020—Kristy Gray – CCU
April 2020—Brianna Miller – CCU
March 2020—Makayla Stokes – 7 Dearth
February 2020—Steven Vuong – 7 Dearth
January 2020—Jamie Davis – 6 Dearth
December 2019—Mollie Hannah – Emergency Department
November 2019—Sheilah Woods – 9 Harbert
October 2019—Peyton Higginbotham – 10 Harbert
September 2019—Nadine Bradley – Neurology
August 2019—Kerri Krake – Special Care Unit
July 2019—Thomas "TJ" Robbins – Burn Unit
June 2019—Sarah Genelin – 10 QB
May 2019—Michaela Richmond – Special Care Unit
April 2019—Margaret Fears-Lewis – NICU
March 2019—Alaina Vierra – CVICU
February 2019—Candis Thomas – NICU
January 2019—Lisa Mills – NICU
December 2018—Brianna Little – NICU
November 2018—Kaitlin Krantz – 7 Dearth
October 2018—Kristen Knarr – Clinic 8
September 2018—Samantha Fialko – SCU
August 2018—Lisa Tyson – 9 QB
July 2018—Amanda Moore – 9 Harbert
June 2018—Abby Carter – NICU
May 2018—Margaret Blessings – 9 Harbert
April 2018—Mary B Garrett – NICU
March 2018—Dawn Fillmore – 6 Dearth
February 2018—Candace Ray – 10QB
January 2018—Martha Dean – Special Care
December 2017—Margaret Blessing – 9QB
November 2017—Casey Rae Jacobs – 8QB
October 2017—Warren Skinner – Burn Unit
September 2017—Al Bonds - 9 QB
August 2017—Brandi Cruz – NICU
July 2017—Sallie Rhodes - PICU
June 2017—Julie Stone - NICU
May 2017—Diane Storie - CVICU
April 2017—Savannah Goodlett - PICU
March 2017—Walter Luke Endress - Special Care Unit
February 2017—Kendal Jaffe - PICU
January 2017—Jane Phillips - ENT Clinics, Children’s South
