SHU Honors Nursing Students, Educators with DAISY Award
Recognition memorializes man who died at 33 and pays tribute to nurses who provided him care
Sacred Heart University has honored two senior nursing students and two faculty members with DAISY Awards in recognition of their exemplary work in the 2022-23 academic year and their commitment to nursing.
Brianna Castiglia ’23 and Kaylee Velez ’23 received DAISY student awards. Jennifer Cullinan, director of nursing simulation and clinical skills labs in the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., and Richard J. Henley College of Nursing (DHCON), and Tammy Testut, DHCON clinical assistant professor, received DAISY faculty awards.
“What a wonderful way to celebrate these individuals who put such dedicated efforts into our program at Sacred Heart. I am so proud to have these select students and faculty members honored for their commitment to caring and compassion,” said Karen Daley, DHCON dean.
The family of J. Patrick Barnes established The Daisy Foundation and The Daisy Award to honor his memory after he died in 1999 at age 33 from complications of the autoimmune system disease idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. It was their way of recognizing the nurses who gave him expert and compassionate care during his eight-week hospitalization. The award’s name is an acronym for “diseases attacking the immune system.”
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Faculty honors educators who inspire their students to bring the art and science of nursing to every patient’s experience. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students recognizes those who have a passion for nursing studies and who are expected to excel in the field outside the University’s setting.
All four received certificates of recognition and The Healer’s Touch sculpture, hand carved in Zimbabwe from serpentine stone and symbolizing the unique relationship nurses have with their patients.
Pictured from left are Kristina Alberski (nominee), Jennifer Cullinan (winner), Tammy Testut (winner), Connie Glenn (nominee), student Natalie Davies (nominee), and Dixie Douville (nominee).