[Skip to Content]
Maisha Brown checking the drip.

Nursing Excellence

Nursing Excellence Awards

Nursing Leaders acknowledge outstanding employees within the nursing department throughout the year annually at our Nursing Excellence Breakfast, held during nurses’ week, at our Nursing Excellence Celebration dinner, hosted typically in fall, and also throughout the year.

Awards

Expand all

DAISY Award

The Daisy Award Logo This award was introduced into the Upstate Nursing awards program in 2013 to recognize the extraordinary work of nurses. This award was created and developed by the family of Patrick Barnes, who wanted to honor his memory and say thank-you to all of the nurses who took care of him during his sudden illness.

Who qualifies to be nominated for this award?

All licensed nurses including LPNs, RNs, NPs, DNPs, etc. regardless of clinical or administrative role.

Where are nominations submitted?

Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis, meaning nominations can be submitted at any time. Nominations can be submitted on the nomination form.

How often will the DAISY (Individual) Award be selected?

The DAISY individual award is awarded on a monthly basis. An honoree from each campus including Downtown, Community, & Ambulatory will be selected as nominations are submitted from each area. 

What is the scoring criteria that they will be selected?

  • Does this story exhibit a professional nurse?
  • Does this story exhibit collaboration by the nurse?
  • Does this story exhibit a nurse using their resources or being an exceptional resource?
  • Does this story exhibit a nurse providing exceptional education?
  • Does this story exhibit a nurse providing a holistic environment? 

 

DAISY Leader Award

The Daisy Nurse Leader Award Logo This award was brought into our awards program to recognize leaders in nursing who embodies the qualities of a transformational leader.

 

Who qualifies to be nominated for this award?

Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing Director, Nurse Manager, Assistant Nurse Manager, Nursing Educator, Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice RN (APRN), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Leader, Clinical Trainer, Nursing Supervisors, Nursing Coordinators, Nurse Recruiters.

Where are nominations submitted?

Bi-Annually the Nursing Excellence committee will place a “call for nominations.” Nominations are submitted electronically via the designated form.

How often will the DAISY LEADER Award be selected?

We will recognize DAISY Leaders two times per year, once during nurses’ week and the other time we recognize during fall at Nursing Excellence Celebration.

What is the scoring criteria that they will be selected?

  • Does this story exemplify a leader who promotes teamwork & healthy work environment?
  • Does this story exemplify a leader who motivates staff to practice at the highest standard of care?
  • Does this story exemplify a leader who empowers staff to become involved in hospital policy & procedure?
  • Does this story exemplify a leader who is capable of maintaining trusting relationships?
  • Does this story exemplify a leader who possesses an optimistic, positive, and encouraging outlook?
  • Does this story exemplify a leader who has a strong presence on their unit/within hospital?
  • Does this story exemplify a leader who lives the Upstate & Upstate Nursing Values (Professionalism, Collaboration, Resources, Holistic Care, & Education)?

 

DAISY Team Award

The Daisy Team AwardThis award was instituted to demonstrate the importance of our nursing value of collaboration. The care we deliver to our patients on a daily basis is because of teamwork, and this award recognizes those teams that go above and beyond the call of duty.  

Who qualifies to be nominated for this award?

Team lead by nursing consisting of 2 or more people. Team members can include any member of the Upstate campus.

 Where are nominations submitted?

Annually the Nursing Excellence committee will place a “call for nominations.” Nominations are submitted electronically via the designated form.

How often will the DAISY TEAM Award be selected?

DAISY Team Awards will be awarded annually during nurses’ week in May. 

What is the scoring criteria that they will be selected?

  • Is this a team lead by a nurse with 2 or more individuals?
  • Does this story display a team providing extraordinary acts of caring?
  • Does this story display a team providing extraordinary acts of compassion?
  • Does this story display a team exceeding the value of professionalism?
  • Does this story display a team exceeding the value of holistic care?
  • Does this story display a team exceeding the value of resources?
  • Does this story display a team exceeding the value of collaboration?
  • Does this story display a team exceeding the value of education?
  • Does this story demonstrate a team who made a difference in the lives of their patient/community?

Bee Award

Bee Award Logo

This award recognizes the extraordinary work of our unlicensed nursing support staff. The Bee award was created because just as in nature bees are loyal, hardworking and cannot exist without the daisy, as neither can the daisy exist without the bee!

 

Who qualifies to be nominated for this award?

HCTs, UST, MOA, Nursing station Clerk (NSC), Specialty technicians (i.e. OR tech, mental health tech, etc.), administrative assistants. Patients/family or fellow staff can nominate a person for a BEE Award.

Where are nominations submitted?

Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis, meaning nominations can be submitted at any time. Nominations can be submitted on the nomination form.

How often will BEE Awards be selected?

Nominations will be gathered every month and recipients selected on a quarterly basis. Announcement will be made in the months of January, April, July, and October.

What is the scoring criteria that they will be selected?

BEE nomination stories will be scored upon 4 criteria set forth by the DAISY Garden Growers committee.

  • Positive attitude that inspires others
  • Promotes teamwork among staff
  • Creates caring connections with patients
  • Always a hard worker

William J. Painter Award

William Painter Award Image

This cross-campus award is named for William J. Painter a Registered Nurse who worked at Upstate University Hospital from 1981 through 1993 at the time of his death.  William Painter was known for his excellence in both clinical practice and nursing management. This award was established to keep his memory alive and to highlight nursing excellence at Upstate University Hospital.

 

 Who qualifies to be nominated for this award?

All nominations will be accepted for registered nurses (RNs)/APRN who function in the following roles: direct patient care, nursing leadership, and advanced practice (i.e. APRNs, NPs).

How often will the William Painter Award be selected?

1 Clinical & 1 Managerial Recipient will be selected annually

What are the scoring criteria that they will be selected?

  • Management and Fiscal Responsibility (achieves fiscal/management targets and demonstrates accountability for unit/department).
  • Quality Management (develops and uses cost, quality, and satisfaction measures as outcome criteria to make improvements). 
  • Standards, Certifications, and Accreditation (incorporates relevant standards of care into work objectives to achieve accreditation and certification).
  • Education (fosters an environment of personal and professional development of self, colleagues and/ or staff through achievement of formal education or specialty certification).
  • Goals (aligns and accomplished annual goals with the nursing department strategic plan).
  • Community (participates in professional organizations or volunteers in community and/or organizational events).
  • Communication (builds and maintains an effective interpersonal and organizational network. Communicates institutional and unit/dept. initiatives to management, associates and staff).
  • Excellence in Practice (innovates and elevates the nursing practice environment at Upstate University Hospital through development of educational materials, research, efficiency, practice guidelines, management and fiscal responsibilities).
  • Commitment to patient care and staff (creates a culture to include safety, respect and compassion in practice for patients and staff).

 

Spirit of Nursing Awards

 “The Spirit of Nursing is one of the most indestructible elements in the lives of those who possess it. Like fine steel, it gives form and substance but yet is flexible, it is shining but durable. It is made up of such qualities as courage … with the accompanying characteristics of frankness, fidelity, and sincerity; kindliness, tolerance, courtesy, generosity, compassion, sympathy, and benevolence.”

  –Mary M. Roberts, RN

Who qualifies to be nominated for this award?

All nominations will be accepted for nurses (LPN & RNs) who function in the following roles: direct patient care, nursing leadership, and advanced practice (i.e. APRNs, NPs).

Where are nominations submitted?

Nominations are accepted on a rolling bases, meaning nominations can be submitted at any time. Nominations can be submitted on the nomination form.

How often will the Spirit of Nursing Award be selected?

One Award Recipient will be selected annually.

What is the scoring criteria that they will be selected?

 Nominations are assessed by the above quote and the selection committee identifies the nominations that most reflects the spirit of nursing.

 

Additional Awards

Pharmacy Awards: These awards are led and coordinated by Upstate Directors of pharmacy. These award recipients are typically recognized at our Fall Nursing Excellence Dinner.

Pediatric Awards: These awards are led and coordinated by Director of Nursing for Pediatrics. Award recipients are intermittently awarded and recognized during the Fall Nursing Excellence Dinner. 

  • Maureen O’hara: The Maureen O’Hara Award was established by colleagues, friends, and family in honor of Maureen T. O’Hara. Maureen had a passion for service to the most vulnerable population: children. This award is founded on characteristics exemplified by Maureen during her career including service, compassion, empathy, leadership, clinical expertise, advocacy for children and their families with a creative and innovative spirit that drives exceptional patient care.
  • Umeschandra Patil Family Pediatric Endowment Education & Enrichment Award: The purpose of this award is for nurses who are caring for children in any setting within Upstate to further their training in pediatric nursing. The monies awarded may be utilized towards conferences, travel associated with educational opportunities, or an academic program. It is hoped that through this support nurses will continue a long career of caring for children and their families. 

Geriatric Excellence Awards: These awards were first awarded in 2018. These awards are led and coordinated by the Geriatric Specialty Council.

  • The Nursing Excellence in Geriatric Care Award seeks to recognize a nurse who significantly impacts the care of geriatric patients.
  • The Excellence in Geriatric Care, similar in nature, seeks to recognize a non-nurse employee who significantly impacts the care of geriatric patients.

Preceptor of the Year Award: This award, award first recognized in 2019, seeks to recognize the work and impact of extraordinary preceptors. This award is led and coordinated through the Nursing Excellence System Council. This is awarded annually at the Fall Nursing Excellence Dinner.

Collaborating Colleague/Team Award: This award seeks to recognize a non-nursing employee or team that has made an impact on nursing practice. This award is awarded nearly annually and award recipient(s) are recognized at the Fall Nursing Excellence Dinner.

Innovation of the Year Award: First awarded in 2019, this award seeks to recognize innovations in practice to improve quality outcomes, patient satisfaction, and staff satisfaction. This award is coordinated out of the Research and Innovation Council. This award is typically recognized in the Spring Nursing Excellence Breakfast.

Top