Dr. Coleman-Burns Honored with First DAISY Faculty Award

Award recognizes excellence in nursing education and promotes appreciation of the nursing profession.

The School of Nursing, in partnership with the DAISY Foundation, has presented Dr. Patricia Coleman-Burns with the first DAISY faculty award. This award recognizes her devotion to the practice of nursing and to teaching the next generation of capable, compassionate nurses.

Dr. Coleman-Burns is a dedicated teacher. Throughout her career at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, she has given her utmost attention to her students, giving individual assistance and ensuring each student stays on the path to becoming a capable nurse. She also has provided and continues to provide unique support systems, including peer-facilitated groups and the GENESIS Scholar Program, which assists students with economic or educational disadvantages in graduating with a BSN.

The DAISY Foundation was founded by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications of Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). His family writes on the foundation’s website: “When Patrick was ill, we were awed by the skill, care, and compassion of his nurses. We created The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses in 2001 to say thank you to nurses around the country, as we believe they are truly 'unsung heroes.' They are deserving of our society's profound respect and recognition for the education, training, brainpower, and skill they put into their work, not to mention the caring with which they deliver their care.”

This new faculty award expands the DAISY Foundation’s dedication to promoting the appreciation of nurses by honoring nursing education as well as nursing practice. Especially in light of recent nursing shortages, the need for strong teachers is more prevalent than ever.