DAISY Award
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is proud to partner with the not-for-profit DAISY Foundation to recognize and celebrate nurses every month. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program started in memory of J. Patrick Barnes to express gratitude to nurses. The Barnes family experienced excellent treatment and outstanding compassionate care, and the family created this award after seeing what a difference nurses made in Pat’s care. The DAISY Award lets patients, families, and CHLA team members thank and honor special nurses and the incredibly meaningful difference they make in the lives of so many people. There are both individual and team DAISY Awards. Anyone can nominate a nurse or nurse-led team for a DAISY Award!
Please visit DAISYFoundation.org to learn more about Pat’s story and how the DAISY Award recognizes extraordinary nurses.
Each DAISY Award honoree is recognized at a public ceremony in their unit and receives: an award certificate, a DAISY award pin, and a hand-carved stone sculpture, “A Healer’s Touch.” Additionally, everyone in the unit celebrates with Cinnabon cinnamon rolls - a favorite of Pat’s during his illness. The Barnes family asks that whenever and wherever nurses smell that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they stop for a moment and thing about how special they are.
Nominate a CHLA nurse, or team led by a nurse!
2024 Honorees
Catherine Dickens, RN, Receives DAISY Award
![A female nurse with light skin tone and short brown hair smiles as she poses with her DAISY Award next to a poster that reads "Congratulate Our DAISY Award Honoree!"](/sites/default/files/styles/2x3_verticle_embed/public/2024-06/CHLA-Catherine-Dickens-DAISY.jpg?h=aa7aa36b&itok=A2yLMyou)
Congratulations to Catherine Dickens, BSN, RN, who received the latest DAISY Award! Dickens, who works on the BMT unit, was nominated by a fellow CHLA team member who wanted to recognize her “compassion and excellent nursing care,” particularly related to the care provided for a specific patient in a difficult, end-of-life scenario.
“She went out of her way to show them love and support. Catherine’s advocacy and hard work gave [them] weeks of comfort and love surrounded by [their] family,” shared the nominator. “I cannot express enough what a gift Catherine was to this patient and family. Catherine’s compassion and patience were an honor to witness. I am proud to work alongside her.”
Meery Panlilio, RN, Receives DAISY Award
![Female nurse with medium skin tone and wearing blue scrubs smiles as they pose with their DAISY Award next to a DAISY Award poster](/sites/default/files/styles/2x3_verticle_embed/public/2024-05/CHLA-Meery-Panlilio-DAISY.jpg?h=0e3f798a&itok=eKJoMO9n)
Congratulations to Meery Panlilio, MSN, RN, CNOR, who received the latest DAISY Award! Panlilio, who works in the Operating Room, was nominated by a fellow CHLA team member who wanted to recognize Panlilio’s skills, commitment to families with children being cared for at CHLA, and her recent success taking on a new role of ENT nurse coordinator.
“She is always there to assist with any equipment or answer any question we might have while doing any procedure with any of the ENT surgeons. We can always count on her to help us with questions we might have during a difficult case,” shared the nominator. “[A] few months ago, room six was under construction; the is the main room where most of the ENT cases are done. She did [an] exceptional job by helping all of us with supplies and equipment during this time of construction. Her responsibilities as a coordinator are many but she is always very pleasant to work with.”
Wendy Ho, RN, Receives DAISY Award
![A young woman with medium skin tone and straight dark hair smiles as she poses with her DAISY Award statue next to a DAISY Award poster](/sites/default/files/styles/2x3_verticle_embed/public/2024-04/CHLA-Wendy-Ho-DAISY.jpg?h=58f35f00&itok=5Xq9Wuua)
Congratulations to Wendy Ho, BSN, RN, CPHON, who received the latest DAISY Award! Ho, who works on 4 West, was nominated by a patient’s parent who wanted to recognize Ho’s bedside manner, time management and patient care skills.
“Wendy she is the definition of a nurse. [She is a] quick thinker, used great judgment, [and is] very knowledgeable,” shared the nominator. “She’s amazing! Coming from a nurse myself, I would love to be more like her.”
Grace Snyder, RN, Receives DAISY Award
![Woman with light skin tone and blonde hair wearing dark colored nurses uniform smiles as she poses with her DAISY Award statute](/sites/default/files/styles/2x3_verticle_embed/public/2024-04/grace-snyder-daisy-award.jpg?h=b78b6e75&itok=h5_wzIWc)
Congratulations to Grace Snyder, BSN, RN, who recently received the DAISY Award! Snyder, who works in the Emergency Department, was nominated by a patient’s parent who was thoroughly impressed by the care, attention and understanding provided by Snyder. The patient needed to have a nasogastric tube placed, and was understandably anxious.
“What struck me the most was Nurse Grace’s genuine concern for my [child’s] pain and discomfort. She took the time to understand my [child’s] fears and anxieties, and she approached the procedure with utmost care and sensitivity. With her calm demeanor and reassuring presence, she was able to make my [child] feel at ease,” shared the nominator. “Nurse Grace’s dedication and compassion truly touched our hearts. Thank you, Nurse Grace, for the exceptional care and support you provided. You are truly an angel in disguise, and we will always remember your kindness and expertise.”
Melissa Lee, RN, Receives DAISY Award
![Woman with medium skin tone and pulled-back dark hair wearing blue scrubs under a dark fleece jacket smiles as she poses with her DAISY Award next to a standing DAISY Award poster in a hospital corridor](/sites/default/files/styles/2x3_verticle_embed/public/2024-02/CHLA-Melissa-Lee-DAISY.jpg?h=90b843ae&itok=QbExjzsl)
Congratulations to Melissa Lee, BSN, RN, CPN, who received the latest DAISY Award! Lee, who works on the Duque 6 Rehabilitation unit, was nominated by a patient who wanted to share the ways in which Lee’s care has had a positive impact.
“My nurse Melissa is so very sweet and caring. She has to be one of the best nurses I have ever had,” shared the nominator. “She makes sure that I feel better. She treats me like if I’m her own kid, which I love. She’s so pretty and just a really big sweetheart. I bet a lot of kids feel the same way too. She is like the rainbow Care Bear making everyone feel like they are at home. I would write way more, but it is hard for me to do so. Melissa, you are just the best nurse ever. You deserve a DAISY. I know you make others feel this way too.