The DAISY Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide every day. At People’s Arc of Suffolk, a DAISY Award honoree is a nurse who exemplifies our mission to create communities where people of all ages and abilities enjoy life to its fullest. They consistently and meaningfully bring our core values to life through their clinical practice.
A nominee for this award should be a licensed nurse (RN or LPN) who consistently demonstrates excellence in the following areas, which are aligned with our agency’s values:
Award Criteria
An extraordinary nurse at People’s Arc of Suffolk is one who:
- Embodies Our Mission Through Exceptional Clinical Care (Value: Commitment)
- Goes above and beyond to ensure an individual’s health needs are met, leading to better quality of life and opportunities for community inclusion.
- Shows unwavering dedication to proactive and preventative care, helping people stay healthy and avoid hospitalizations.
- Skillfully manages complex medical situations with confidence and competence.
- Creates a Community of Trust and Partnership (Value: Communication & Respect)
- Communicates with exceptional clarity and compassion to the people we support, tailoring their approach to each individual’s unique communication needs.
- Builds strong, collaborative relationships with families, direct support staff, and other clinicians, ensuring everyone on the team feels heard, valued, and informed.
- Listens with patience and empathy, making people feel safe and understood during times of illness or stress.
- Upholds the Highest Standards of Nursing Practice (Value: Integrity)
- Acts as a fierce and effective advocate for the people they support, especially during medical appointments or hospitalizations, ensuring their rights and needs are protected.
- Demonstrates honesty and accountability in all aspects of their work.
- Makes ethical, person-centered decisions that are always in the best interest of the individual.
- Inspires Others Through a Commitment to Growth (Value: Self-Improvement)
- Actively seeks out new knowledge and skills to improve their nursing practice and eagerly shares what they learn with their colleagues.
- Serves as a mentor and positive role model for direct support staff, empowering them through training and support to better handle health-related tasks.
- Shows a passion for learning and adapting, consistently looking for better ways to support the health and wellness of the individuals in our community.
How to Nominate a Nurse
Nominations can be submitted by anyone who has witnessed a nurse’s extraordinary care, including people we support, their family members, direct support professionals, and other agency staff.
To nominate a nurse, please share a specific story that illustrates how they met one or more of the criteria on the application. Tell us how this nurse’s actions made a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Click link for our official nomination form to nominate a deserving nurse for this year’s award!
Annual Winner Announcement: Our first Annual Winner will be announced in August of 2026.
Example of a Strong Nomination Story:
- “Nurse [Name] noticed that John was having trouble sleeping. Instead of just documenting it, she worked with his doctor to figure out it was a medication side effect. She then trained all the staff on a new calming nighttime routine for him. John is now sleeping through the night and is so much happier and more engaged at day hab. Her commitment made his life better.”
- “During my son’s recent hospitalization, Nurse [Name] was our rock. She called the hospital every day to make sure the doctors understood his communication needs and advocated for him to get the right tests. She communicated with us every step of the way. Her integrity and respect for my son were clear, and it made a terrifying situation manageable.”
