Of the many groups that lend their support to DAISY, from providing exhibit space at annual conferences to promoting the great work of DAISY on their websites, five organizations are highlighted here for their strong commitment to the foundation's initiatives and values.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center began an official partnership with DAISY in 2010, said Loressa Cole, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, CEO of the American Nurses Association, when Bonnie and Mark Barnes, co-founders of the DAISY Foundation, began talks with the organization to discuss expanding the DAISY Award program in Magnet-designated hospitals.

“Our two organizations are completely aligned in rewarding nursing excellence, so much so that in 2010, at ANCC’s annual Magnet conference, we presented a special presidential award to Bonnie and Mark Barnes” Cole said. “All the characteristics exemplified by DAISY nurses, such as compassionate care, superb nursing skills [and] extraordinary nursing care, are also foundational to Magnet.”

Patricia McGaffigan, MSN, RN, CPPS, vice president of safety programs and president of the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety, with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Boston, said their four-year (and counting) partnership with DAISY makes perfect sense. “Every nurse is a leader in patient safety,” she said.

The IHI values quality healthcare, improved patient outcomes, and physical, emotional and psychological safety for patients, their families and the workforce, said McGaffigan.

“Working with DAISY and combining the concepts of extraordinary compassion with safety is a great way to promote better healthcare, improved patient outcomes and a healthy work environment,” she said.

Also known for recognizing nursing excellence is the honor society for nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Its former chief executive officer, Patricia E. Thompson, EdD, RN, FAAN said, “There’s a synergy between STTI and DAISY. Both of our organizations present awards to outstanding nurses and have a presence both in the U.S. and internationally.”

STTI made Bonnie and Mark Barnes honorary members in 2015. “DAISY and STTI have a strong relationship at the international level on down to the local chapter level,” Thompson said. “Our organizations get the message out about the great work that nurses do every single day.”

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the DAISY Foundation are natural partners, said Ramon Lavandero, MSN, MA, RN, FAAN, senior strategic adviser and historian with the AACN and clinical associate professor at Yale University School of Nursing. The two organizations began an informal association back in 1999.

A formal collaboration started in 2011, “When results of a national multi-site study of meaningful recognition were presented at AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition,” Lavandero said.

The AACN released the first edition of the “AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments” in 2005, he said. “The DAISY Foundation’s work helps clinical and academic organizations fulfill the healthy work environment standard of meaningful recognition. DAISY has highlighted the critical importance of meaningful recognition for nurses,” he said.

“The DAISY Foundation reached out to AONE to help them accomplish their vision by expanding the award program to more hospitals,” she said.

Susan Gergeley, EdD, former acting CEO/COO at AONE said, “One of our strategic key priorities is supporting the provision of safe, quality care in delivery systems grounded in healthful practice environments.”

The DAISY Award program enables nurse leaders to honor the incredible work nurses do every day, promoting excellence and creating a positive work environment, which aligns exactly with our organization’s values, she said.