DAISY Award
Central Carolina Hospital Proudly Honors Our Nurses with The DAISY Award
Help us celebrate the compassion and skill of our extraordinary nurses.
Nominate a nurse today!
The DAISY Foundation was established in 2000 by the Barnes family in memory of their son, J. Patrick Barnes who died from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. It is dedicated to funding research to help fight diseases of the immune system and supporting ITP patients and their families. Having been touched by the remarkable care, Clinical skills, and compassion demonstrated by nurses during Patrick's illness, the Barnes family made it their mission to recognize exceptional nurses around the country.
What is the DAISY award?
- This international program includes more than 1,000 hospitals across the globe.
- It is given twice a year to an outstanding nurse from any of the different nursing regions.
- The award is presented in the award recipient's unit.
- Recipient will receive: framed certificate, DAISY Award signature lapel pin, hand-carved stone sculpture entitled A Healer's Touch, and a copy of the nomination letter.
- The department of the recipient will receive cinnamon rolls, which were Patrick's favorite during his illness.
How to nominate an extraordinary nurse:
- Patients, visitors, employees, or physicians may nominate a deserving nurse.
- Fill out the online nomination form or paper nomination form located in each unit or waiting area.
- Nomination is all year long. Selection process takes place quarterly by the DAISY Award Committee. Recipient will be notified by the department's manager.
What is the selection process for the award?
- Only nominations with a patient story describing how the nurse went above and beyond will go through the final selection.
- The selection process is blind. Each final nomination letter is coded for anonymity to prevent bias from the selection committee members.
- Members of the DAISY Award Committee will read all the final nomination letters and grade them based on the presence of Central Carolina Hospital values and quality of the story.
For more information, visit daisyfoundation.org. Or locally contact Amanda.sloan@lpnt.net.
Danielle Drent Receives DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Care
August 07, 2026
Central Carolina Hospital is proud to recognize Danielle Drent, RN, of the Emergency Department, as the recipient of The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's programs to recognize the extraordinary efforts nurses perform every day.
Danielle earned this recognition for demonstrating exceptional compassion and empathy beyond her assigned duties. Nominated by a grateful patient, she was praised for taking the time to stop, listen and provide encouragement during a particularly challenging time. Her willingness to support someone who was not even her patient exemplifies the selfless, patient-centered care the DAISY Award was created to recognize.
In the nomination, the patient wrote: "She made me feel truly seen and heard when I felt like no one else understood what I was going through."
The patient also shared that Danielle's compassion, and encouragement helped them take an important step forward during a difficult moment.
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
“Danielle Drent’s recognition reflects the meaningful impact compassionate nursing care can have on patients and their families,” said Dr. Mylissa K. Hess, Chief Nursing Officer at Central Carolina Hospital. “The care described in her nomination demonstrates the kindness, empathy and personal connection at the heart of the DAISY Award. We are proud to recognize Danielle as this quarter’s recipient and celebrate the difference she made in this patient’s experience.”
Nominate a Nurse
Patients, family members, visitors and colleagues are encouraged to nominate a Central Carolina Hospital nurse who has provided exceptional care. To submit a nomination, visit Central Carolina Hospital's DAISY Award page.