An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died (at the age of 33) from complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Patrick’s family was very touched by the remarkable compassion and clinical skill demonstrated by Patrick’s nurses during his illness, so they created DAISY to recognize exceptional nurses everywhere. The DAISY Foundation is dedicated to saying Thank You to Nurses and is now proud to recognize Nursing Faculty with The DAISY Faculty Award.
Earning a DAISY Award is within the reach of nursing faculty and nursing students at 165 schools of nursing that have partnered with the program. A combined total of more than 1,000 nursing faculty and students have earned a DAISY Award.
All DAISY Awardees
A recent graduate of UC Irvine’s Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN), Adewunmi received the DAISY award for Extraordinary Student. “The DAISY award came as a huge surprise, and I feel incredibly honored to have been recognized,” said Adewunmi. “This award acknowledges not just me, but my family, friends, and educators who have supported me. It also honors the patients and families who encouraged me to keep striving to be a nurse.”
Adewunmi said her time at UC Irvine equipped her with the necessary skills and confidence to pursue her passion for nursing, particularly in maternal and women’s health, and her commitment to delivering compassionate care and fostering meaningful connections with her patients.
“The strong theoretical foundation and practical curriculum at UC Irvine prepared me exceptionally well for the challenges of healthcare,” Adewunmi added. “I am dedicated to lifelong learning and aim to specialize in a field that aligns with my interests, all while advocating for healthcare access and making a positive difference in my community.”
Philippe Pierre Trajano, a dedicated clinical nurse at UCI Medical Center, received the DAISY award for Extraordinary Nurse Educator. Trajano, known for his unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of nurses, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition.
“To me, receiving the DAISY award is one of the greatest honors as a Nurse,” said Trajano. “The nomination alone assures me that I have positively impacted the experience of at least one student, who will go on to touch the lives of many in need. I hope to continue growing as an educator to share my knowledge and inspire new nurses.”
In addition to his role in the Emergency Department, where he handles trauma care, ER bedside assistance, and triage coordination, Trajano serves as a clinical preceptor to new graduate nurses and transition of care nurses from various departments. His diverse experience makes him a particularly qualified candidate for guiding nursing students as they pursue their future careers within the healthcare industry.
