The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses

At Artesia General Hospital, we are proud to honor the incredible compassion, clinical skill, and dedication of our nurses.
Introducing the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

What Is the DAISY Award?

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is more than just a recognition program—it is a heartfelt tribute to the skill, compassion, and dedication that define outstanding nursing. Created in 1999 by the family of Patrick Barnes, a young man who passed away from complications of an autoimmune disease, the award was born out of deep gratitude. During Patrick’s hospitalization, his family was moved by the unwavering kindness and expert care provided by his nurses. In response, they established the DAISY Foundation (Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) to say “thank you” to nurses everywhere for the work they do—often under intense pressure and with little recognition.

A Worldwide Recognition

Today, the DAISY Award is presented in over 5,000 healthcare facilities across 35 countries. It honors nurses who go beyond routine care—those who connect with patients on a human level, ease fears, advocate for comfort, and bring light to difficult days. At Artesia General Hospital, serving the Artesia community and surrounding areas including Carlsbad and Roswell, we are proud to be part of this global tradition. Our nurses are at the heart of everything we do, providing critical care and emotional support that truly make a difference in patients’ lives. By participating in the DAISY Award program, we reaffirm our commitment to excellence in nursing and to celebrating the everyday heroes within our hospital walls.

Each DAISY nomination tells a story—of compassion shown, pain eased, or a life touched by a nurse’s presence. Whether through a small act of kindness or life-saving expertise, these moments define what it means to be a nurse at Artesia General Hospital. The DAISY Award gives our patients, families, colleagues, and community a chance to shine a light on those moments and to express heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional care our nurses provide every day across southeastern New Mexico.

How to Nominate a Nurse for The Daisy Award

Don’t wait—nominate an extraordinary nurse at Artesia General Hospital today! Your nomination honors their life-changing care and inspires excellence. Make your voice heard and celebrate the heroes who make a difference every day! You can submit a nomination in one of the following ways:

Online: Nominate your nurse online
In Person: Fill out a nomination form located throughout the hospital and drop it in a DAISY box
QR code: Take a picture of the QR code

Who Can Be Nominated for The Daisy Award

Any registered nurse (RN or LPN) at Artesia General Hospital is eligible for the DAISY Award. We invite patients, families, visitors, physicians, and colleagues to submit nominations. If a nurse’s care, compassion, or professionalism made a lasting impact, we want to hear about it. Recognizing outstanding nurses starts with your story, and every nomination helps us celebrate the incredible work they do every day.

Criteria for Nomination

Nominees should demonstrate:

Extraordinary compassion and empathy in the care they provide
A commitment to patient-centered care
Outstanding clinical skills and professionalism
A positive and lasting impact on patients, families, or coworkers

A committee reviews all nominations. We honor award recipients throughout the year during special celebrations. Each DAISY Award Honoree receives a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved “Healer’s Touch” sculpture. Our hospital community shows heartfelt appreciation for their compassion and dedication.

Thank You to Our Nurses

At Artesia General Hospital, our nurses are the heart of patient care. Through the DAISY Award program, we honor their dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence—recognizing one extraordinary nurse at a time.