Awards & Honors

Dr. Sarah Campbell, DNP, FNP-C, was nominated for the 2025 Faculty DAISY Award. “Dr. Campbell has had a profound impact on the future practice of her nursing students through her innovative and compassionate approach to education. She has developed a CBT-based intervention to help nursing students reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, demonstrating her commitment to their mental health and well-being. This intervention not only supports students during their studies but also equips them with valuable tools for their future careers in nursing. Using personal attributes such as caring, compassion, and empathy, Dr. Campbell has created a supportive learning environment for doctoral students facing challenges during their studies. Her approach encourages learning by addressing the holistic needs of her students, allowing them to thrive academically and personally. Dr. Campbell inspires and motivates students beyond the classroom by actively engaging in community education programs. She provided education on the ‘three Ds’ (dementia, delirium, depression) to diverse community college students aspiring to become LVNs in long-term care facilities. By using case stories and active learning tools, she made complex topics accessible and engaging, inspiring future nurses to provide high-quality care for older adults with complex conditions. Furthermore, Dr. Campbell has developed collaborative working relationships with students, colleagues, and the community. Her involvement in interdisciplinary projects and her presentations at national conferences demonstrate her commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration across the nursing field. Dr. Campbell’s dedication to student support, innovative teaching methods, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration make her an exceptional candidate for the UCI Daisy Faculty Award. Her work not only impacts her current students but also shapes the future of nursing practice by preparing compassionate, knowledgeable, and resilient healthcare professionals.”

A recent graduate of UC Irvine’s Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN), Chavez-Carillo received the 2025 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Student. “Diana embodies the purest of hearts, and getting through nursing school with her by my side has truly been a blessing. She has faced so many challenges, yet always comes out the other side with positivity, warmth, and a smile. During our pediatric rotations, I watched her care for a young patient with such compassion while offering calm reassurance to an anxious family. Even when we were exhausted and overwhelmed, Diana never missed a chance to show empathy and kindness to her patients and their loved ones. She is a breath of fresh air, someone who always sees the glass half full. Every group project with Diana has felt like a meaningful experience rather than just another assignment. She brings positivity, curiosity, and a true sense of teamwork to everything she does. Nursing is undeniably her calling, she leads with heart, humility, and the kind of courageous strength that makes every patient feel safe, seen, and cared for. Diana exemplifies the mission of the UCI Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing by championing collaboration, compassion, and interdisciplinary, evidence-based practice in all that she does.”