The DAISY Foundation™ was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died from complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.
The DAISY Award is in over 6,000 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing internationally. It is a recognition program for nurses wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers–from nursing student through lifetime achievement.
Payten ZieglerPayten Ziegler of Evansville, Indiana, is the recipient of the 2026 DAISY Award for Extraordinary USI Nursing Students. "Payten always advocates for the best possible care for her patients," wrote one of her nominators, a hospital staff member. “When she sees a patient’s care is lacking, she will step up and advocate for them or offer a hand to help provide better care.”
Ziegler was inspired to pursue nursing after watching her younger brother survive an aggressive form of cancer. “It showed me the true power of nursing, not just in saving lives, but in holding families together when everything feels like it's falling apart,” she says. “Seeing the impact nurses can have on patients and their families made me want to be that kind of support for others.”
After she graduates with her BSN degree in July 2027, she plans to work in intensive care on a trauma unit.
Dr. Ashley CarterDr. Ashley Carter, Assistant Professor of Nursing, is the second recipient of The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary USI Nurse Educators. She has been a nursing educator for 19 years, having first started her teaching career in 2007 at Ivy Tech Evansville, where she also served as Department Chair for five years before joining the USI Nursing faculty in Fall 2020.
One of her students wrote, "A specific example of how Dr. Carter made a significant impact is how she is always so supportive and encouraging in ensuring we’re confident in our actions. She always knows how to ease nerves at any times that are stressful in the workload. I greatly appreciate it because it helps me become confident in my future occupation."
Eligibility/Who may receive a Faculty DAISY Award?
Criteria:
Nominations will be accepted February 16 through April 1, 2026.
To prevent multiple submissions, please submit only one nomination per nurse educator.
Eligibility/Who may receive a Student DAISY Award?
Criteria:
Nominations will be accepted February 16 through April 1, 2026.
To prevent multiple submissions, please submit only one nomination per nursing student.
Gina Schaar, DNP, RN
USI Associate Professor of Nursing
Dr. Gina Schaar is the first recipient of The DAISY Award® for extraordinary USI nurse educators. She has been a member of the USI nursing faculty for more than 30 years. Her nominator wrote: "She shows so much passion for nursing and helps her students feel the same way. She asks us questions to help us learn and grow in nursing. Gina is truly the best educator I have ever had, and I’m so grateful for all she has and will continue to teach me!"
Lily Sinnett '25
Senior, USI BSN Program
Lily Sinnett of Henderson, Kentucky, is the recipient of USI's first DAISY Award® for extraordinary nursing students. Lily's nominator said: "Lily was my student nurse during a very hard hospital stay for me. She was very kind, caring, and attentive to my needs the whole time. She had the chance to practice a few skills on me, and every time she made sure to talk me through the whole thing so I knew what to expect. Lily will be a great nurse."