What is the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty?
The DAISY Foundation, as a part of its service to the nursing profession’s role in patient care, established The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty. The purpose of this program is to provide to colleges/schools of nursing a national recognition program they may use to demonstrate appreciation to teachers for their commitment and inspirational influence on their students. The Foundation hopes that, this program will contribute to a positive work environment for faculty in schools.
Our DAISY Faculty Award honorees personify CSU Channel Islands Nursing Program's remarkable impact on students and their patients. They consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care, and they are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community.
For nomination, the candidate will demonstrate:
- Remarkable inspirational influence on students that extends to patients
- Outstanding role model of professional nursing
- Consistent excellence through their clinical expertise and commitment to extraordinary compassionate patient care
- Exceptional attributes that facilitate learning (e.g., caring, kindness, confidence, patience, integrity, and flexibility)
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Collaborative working relationship with students and colleagues
- Compassion by showing interest in students and having a respectful attitude in their learning experience
- Enthusiasm for teaching, learning and the nursing profession that inspires and motivates students
How to Nominate
- Students, Faculty, Administrators and others may nominate a deserving CSUCI Nursing faculty member by completing the form:
- Email your form to: sarah.welch@csuci.edu
- Nomination Forms for 2023 Awards are due by April 16th
2022 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty Recipient:
Melissa Fujikuni
Melissa Fujikuni has been a registered nurse for eight years. She has primarily worked in the ICU, and has experience on the telemetry and med/surg floors. She worked as a CNA for almost eight years in nursing homes and home health prior to becoming an RN. Melissa started teaching at Channel Islands in Fall 2021, and shares her thoughts on her experience:
"I had a wonderful first semester with my students sharing my passion for critical care and I am honored that they nominated me for this highly esteemed award. One of my favorite parts of being a nurse is the possibility to continuously learn and grow. In my new role as a nurse educator, I have appreciated learning from my new colleagues and students. Through my experiences with them all this past year, they have demonstrated towards me a level of grace, patience, and gratitude that I will remain thankful for in years to come."
2021 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty Recipient:
Heidi Johnston Merickel
When it came time to nominate an extraordinary nursing faculty member, students at CSUCI were quick to make their decision. Nominations poured in and it was clear that they had chosen Professor Heidi Johnston as the recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty. Some quotes from nominations include:
"Professor Johnston never fails to go above and beyond for her students. She consistently makes everyone feel included and appreciated."
"She was very patient and took her time explaining procedures and how to communicate with patients."
"She always goes above and beyond to help her students with understanding nursing concepts and disease processes. Her passion for teaching is evident in her daily positive attitude and actions. She embodies the ideal role model of professional nursing and is the most deserving of this prestigious award."
We are so thrilled to acknowledge this amazing faculty member for her passion towards her students and the nursing profession. Congratulations, Heidi! We are so lucky to have you as a member of our team!
2019 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty Recipient:
Dr. Charlene Niemi
Students in the CSUCI Nursing Program had the following comments regarding their faculty awardee, Dr. Charlene Niemi:
"Since day one, this instructor has displayed how important her students are to her by taking the time to ask 'What can I do for you?' She is understanding, kind-hearted, and always puts her students first."
"She is a well-respected instructor who embraces the science and art of nursing. Her support, knowledge, and genuine love for helping others empowers both students and patients. The compassion, sincerity, and professionalism she offers makes her an exemplary nurse and role model for her students."
Congratulations, Dr. Niemi!
2018 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty Recipient:
Dr. Mila Tabije-Ebuen
Mila had an overwhelming amount of nominations for the DAISY Award. Listed are a few of the comments from her students:
"Mila has helped to foster a nurturing, open atmosphere full of support".
"She embodies what it means to be a nurse and effortlessly translates it into her role as an educator".
"Her tireless efforts to make sure 'no one gets left behind' are apparent each time she fights for our clinical opportunities".
"She encourages us to conquer current skills while reaching beyond the syllabus".
"She is tough but effective with immediate feedback regardless of whether it is a success or area of growth".
"Her passion speaks for itself and she projects such poise and confidence that we aspire to be the kind of nurse that she is".
2017 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty Recipient:
Dr. Karen Jensen
This year's DAISY Faculty Award Winner is Dr. Jensen. Because of her dedicated time, generosity, and passion, she has not only enriched the lives of those around her, but she has created a better world by passing her extraordinarily vast knowledge and compassion to multiple generations for them to in turn share with the world.
"Karen Jensen joined CSUCI from her prior faculty appointments which included Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles where she was Assistant Chair of the nursing program and Assistant Vice President and Director of the HOPE Health Options Program of Education and the Dean of the graduate programs. She had been Coordinator of Health Sciences at Moorpark College where her responsibilities included Nursing, Radiological Technology and Emergency Medical Technician –B. While at Moorpark College she initiated the collaborative program with St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley for the St. John’s Partners in Caring Program. This eighteen month program takes employees of the St. John’s hospitals and educates them in the Moorpark College Nursing program.
Dr. Jensen was awarded a Ph.D. and M.S.N from UCLA. Her undergraduate BSN is from Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her teaching and research interests include curriculum development, issues in health care delivery systems and gerontology. Her dissertation focused on Stress and Coping of Alzheimer’s Caregivers and was awarded a Grant from the National Institute for Health. Her nursing work history includes over twenty year experience in critical care, cardiac care and home health."
For her lifetime dedication to nursing and educating future nurses, we honor Dr. Karen Jensen with the 2017 DAISY Award.
If you have any questions, contact:
Sarah Welch, Administrative Support Coordinator
sarah.welch@csuci.edu
