The DAISY Award is one of the most powerful ways to say thank you to nurses for the exceptional care they provide to patients and their families. Meet this year’s student and faculty recipients from Chamberlain University and Walden University.
Chamberlain University and Walden University are proud to work with the DAISY Foundation to present DAISY Awards to extraordinary nursing students whose actions demonstrate caring and commitment to the nursing profession and to improving health outcomes. Chamberlain and Walden also present awards to outstanding nursing faculty members who serve as role models and go above and beyond for students’ academic and professional growth.
Learn about the origins of the DAISY Award and its connection to Chamberlain University in this video from foundation co-founder Bonnie Barnes.
Meet extraordinary nurses and nurse educators awarded so far in 2023.
Student and Alumni Recipients
Chamberlain University
Chyanne Davis
Demonstrating a natural ability to show compassion and effectively navigate others’ concerns is in the makings of a great nurse. Regarded by a nominator suffering with chronic pain and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) as “one of the most caring members of the team that has been helping me get better,” BSN student Chyanne Davis is modeling what it means to go above and beyond in the nursing profession.
Patients who struggle with EDS have a heightened need for patient advocacy and accurate pain reporting. Davis understands this and is thorough in making sure her patients have a cohesive plan that accurately targets what they need. Additionally, Davis always takes the time to walk them through each aspect of their treatment. No matter how many questions you might have or how meticulous you can be, Davis is commended for her ability to exercise patience and calm the nerves of anyone she has the pleasure of assisting.
“Chyanne has made me feel this disease is not a curse,” says one of her patients. “I’ve been treated so wonderfully, and I can honestly say that every treatment with her turns my day around.”
Walden University
Dr. Julia Hoy ’22
Needles are a source of fear for many patients. That fear inspired Dr. Julia Hoy’s dissertation, “The Perceptions of Adult Patients Who Experience Needle Fear During Cosmetic Injections,” which she completed to earn her PhD in Nursing.
She found that many of the techniques she had been taught to assure patients actually cause more anxiety. Her findings have implications for treating patients who avoid vaccinations, blood draws, and treatments for chronic conditions.
“It’s important to patients when they’re in the healthcare setting to feel that they are cared for, rather than just being an object of care or treatment,” says Dr. Hoy.
Dr. Hoy has been a nurse for 45 years. Early in her career she worked on open heart surgeries and in a cardiovascular intensive care unit. Today she is a board-certified aesthetic family nurse practitioner in Texas.
Chamberlain University
Stewart Macias
RN-to-BSN student Stewart Macias has received many accolades at work for being centered on patient care. Being described by a colleague who’s worked side by side with him in trauma as “showing exceptional skill and knowledge in everything he does,” Macias is driven to make sure his patients and their families are involved in care, even if the circumstances are life and death.
He’s also not opposed to raising his hand and asking the right questions regarding physicians’ orders if that means his patients will benefit from it.
A example of this is when Macias treated a trauma patient whom he was able to stabilize and send to the upper-level ICU. Though outside of his direct care, Macias continued to visit this patient and follow up with fellow nurses to ensure they received the best care possible. Macias is recognized for his ability to see patients as people and thereby focus on a person-centered care approach. He demonstrates a conscious effort every day to make the care experience better.
Walden University
Adrienne Messer
Adrienne Messer shows up for nurses every day as a manager in a nurse education department for a medical center. Her role includes teaching a wellness program for new nurse residents to help prevent burnout and to be resilient when faced with life’s challenges.
Messer’s resilience was tested when a tornado hit her farm and destroyed her family’s home. She took a break from the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Tempo Learning competency-based program but has returned to continue her learning. She has even used what she’s learned to recommend a leadership development program for new nursing directors so that they can better support the nurses on their units.
“Being a DAISY Award winner makes me feel seen and appreciated and just recognized for inspiring other nurses,” says Messer.
Chamberlain University
Dr. Selena Tully
Students face challenges inside and outside the classroom. For one of Dr. Selena Tully’s students that included the death of a relative one week and a fractured bone and wrecked car the next.
That student never missed a deadline in part because of Dr. Tully’s understanding and focus on their success.
For some students, English isn’t their first language, and it can take them a little longer to understand the material. One such student was ready to give up on their dream to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree—until they had a conversation with her. Dr. Tully encouraged them to push through and backed it up by meeting with them each week to go over assignments even into the next session.
Walden University
Dr. Stefani Gatica
Dr. Stefani Gatica has been part of the Walden community for almost 10 years of her 30-plus year career in nursing. At Walden, she has served on committees for student affairs, diversity and inclusion, and family nurse practitioner specialties.
She’s also organized opportunities for students to learn about entrepreneurship opportunities for nurse practitioners. In addition to her teaching career, Dr. Gatica is the primary provider at a dermatology clinic and spa. She also donates her time to free clinics where she is always on the lookout for undiagnosed melanomas.
Chamberlain University
Jesus Garcia, Jr.
Open, enthusiastic, welcoming, encouraging—these are the descriptions you hear about Jesus Garcia Jr. on the Miramar campus. They are attributes that lead to student success. For one student returning after struggling with two courses, Garcia was there for her every step of the way.
She passed that session’s courses, the two courses in the next session, and is continuing strong.
Garcia’s empathy comes from experience—as a Chamberlain BSN graduate as well as tutor and lab assistant. One nominator shared that “Jesus shows a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for teaching, learning, and nursing which in turn inspires and motivates students. Being an alumnus himself, he is able to relate to the student body effectively and share his experiences, struggles, determination, and inspiration to everyone. Students naturally gravitate toward him because of his intellect, helpfulness, and positive attitude.”
Watch the DAISY Award Celebrations from Chamberlain University
Pre-Licensure Students
Pre-Licensure Faculty
Post-Licensure Students
Post-Licensure Faculty
