Whether you’ve turned up in the hospital with a 105-degree fever or with a cut that just needed a Band-Aid, we've all had a nurse impact us in one way or another. These nurses may remember the temperature they took and the Band-Aid they placed, but they often don’t realize the larger impact they’re making daily. 

At Fusion, we never want to stop reminding our traveling nurses that their impact is large, and it matters. That’s why we partner with the DAISY Foundation to celebrate nurses showing extraordinary compassion nurses across America who go above and beyond in their work, sometimes without knowing just how impactful they are! Here’s what you should know.

• What is the DAISY Award? 
• Why do recipients get cinnamon rolls? 
• Extraordinary nurses making a positive difference
• Double DAISY: Clisby White  
• Care doesn’t stop overnight: Katherine McDermott 
• Shining light in the dark: Melinda Petrini  
• Care in communication: Kimberly Thomas
• ✨BONUS✨ nominate a nurse today! 

Fusion Recognizes Traveling Nurses’ Exceptional Care with the DAISY Award 

What is the DAISY Award? 

A simple “thank you” sometimes isn’t enough to appreciate a nurse’s care. To give that additional thanks, the DAISY Foundation provides a recognition program for coworkers, families, and patients to celebrate extraordinary nurses or nursing students they’ve had by nominating them for a DAISY Award.  

Related: Fusion Joins Forces with DAISY Foundation to Honor Outstanding Nurses 

After nominating a nurse, our internal Fusion Medical Staffing committee blindly reads and scores the entries before naming the winners. Each winner and nominee (because they still deserve praise!) receives a copy of their nomination, so they know who nominated them and why. Recipients also get a hand-carved Healer’s Touch Sculpture from Zimbabwe, an Honoree pin, and cinnamon rolls.  

Wait, why cinnamon rolls? 

Here’s the story: R. Patrick Barnes was diagnosed with an auto immune disease — immune thrombocytopenia — that ultimately took his life in 1999. Patrick Barnes' family was blown away by the nurses’ attention to detail throughout their time at the hospital. These nurses presented compassion and support for the Barnes family, giving them kind words, hugs, and genuine care.  

It was after this that the Barnes family decided they needed to recognize extraordinary nurses across the country, like the ones that helped their son. The Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem (DAISY) award was born to do just this.  

So, why cinnamon rolls? Cinnamon rolls were Patrick’s favorite food, and what better way to honor that than sharing some ooey gooey love with the winning nurses? 

Extraordinary nurses making a positive difference 

After spending long days and longer nights selflessly helping others, the least we can do is appreciate our traveling nurses. Fusion is proud to partner with the DAISY Foundation to give recognition where it’s due.  

This recognition isn’t just a pat on the back; it’s a thank you from those whose lives have been changed due to their care. That’s something special, and we never want to stop celebrating our many travelers who have won DAISY Awards.  

You might like: How Fusion Medical Staffing Recognizes BSN Students and Healthcare Travelers 

The DAISY Foundation knows that this is more than just an award through their evidence-based form of meaningful recognition. The DAISY Awards can impact healthcare organizations by contributing to a healthy work environment, increasing nurse engagement, and improving patient and family experiences. Three important pillars of change come from acknowledging exceptional patient care, and we’re proud to be a part of that.  

Many of our travelers have won DAISY Awards throughout the years, but one of our travelers didn't want to stop there: Clisby White.  

Double DAISY: Clisby White  

Winning one DAISY Award is simply not enough to celebrate Registered Nurse (RN) Clisby White.  

Working at Blair Hospital, Clisby proved to his patients that he genuinely cared for them as both a patient and a person. Clisby greeted every patient with a smile, making it a habit to visit with them before his shift. He connected with everyone not just based on their diagnosis, but with whom they were on a human level. Take it from one patient that said, “Clisby, I am so thankful that I broke my hip” because it led to having him as her nurse.

His nominators recognized his strong knowledge in his field and his passion for caring for others. For this and more, Clisby won a DAISY Award in May 2025. To his shock, a week later, another DAISY Award arrived in his mailbox, making him a two-time DAISY Award winner! 

Care doesn’t stop overnight: Katherine McDermott 

Med Surg RN Katherine McDermott is no stranger to overnight shifts to care for patients after elective or emergent surgeries in the surgical inpatient unit.  

After caring for a patient who’d had spinal fusion surgery, Katherine spent three out of several nights caring for them in the hospital. While most of us wouldn’t be happy campers caring for someone at 3 A.M., Katherine was a special case. Her nominator claimed her positivity never waned despite the long hours of an overnight shift.  

With all the patient’s needs met, Katherine made their stay after surgery as easy as possible. Her compassion and genuine care shined through, ultimately awarding her a DAISY Award.  

Shining light in the dark: Melinda Petrini  

There’s no sugarcoating that working in the medical field is tough. There’s hard moments and tough conversations every single day.  

A nurse that can handle these hard moments with grace deserves to be recognized and appreciated, which is why Melinda Petrini was awarded a DAISY Award. Melinda was working at an adult critical care unit at Waco Texas’ Ascension Providence Hospital in February when she was nominated.  

Her nomination came from a patient’s uncle who had suddenly fallen ill and was eventually transferred to comfort care. Despite the suddenness and severity of the case, Melinda entered the situation with immense knowledge, explaining every process step by step to the patient’s family.  

Her nominator spoke to Melinda's high level of professionalism that she showed throughout their time there. Melinda was a team player and worked hard to ensure the best care possible. Her knowledge and compassion led to her DAISY Award!  

Care in communication: Kimberly Thomas

It takes a special kind of nurse to care and comfort sick children, and Kimberly Thomas is one of those nurses. While on assignment, Kimberly cared for a sick nine-year-old girl at Children’s Hospital.  

Although this was a confusing and challenging time for the child and mother, Kimberly assured the family at every turn that the girl would be okay. Any question that the mother had, Kimberly was eager to answer. Her answers were in-depth and detailed, proving her knowledge and understanding of every step.  

Kimberly’s friendliness and attention to detail earned her a DAISY Award from this grateful family.

Nominate a nurse today! 

A positive impact is being made by nurses across the country as you read this. By partnering with the DAISY Foundation, this high level of care won’t go unnoticed.  

So, why wait to give a thank you? Click here to nominate a nurse that’s made a difference in your life and keep on celebrating nurses across the country for everything they do!