NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull Hosts Daisy Award Ceremony To Honor Extraordinary Nurses
The prestigious award honors nurses for their impact on patient care
Apr 07, 2025
Brooklyn, NY — NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull proudly recognized its outstanding nursing staff and teams during a special DAISY Award ceremony, honoring those who exemplify the highest standards of compassionate care, clinical expertise, and leadership. The DAISY Award is an international program created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away from an autoimmune disease at the age of 33. His family established the DAISY Award to honor the extraordinary care provided by nurses, recognizing their compassion, skill, and dedication to patient care. The award is given to nurses who demonstrate exceptional clinical skills, leadership, and an outstanding commitment to their patients. Nominations are submitted by staff, patients, and families and reviewed by a DAISY Committee that ensures the selection criteria align with the organization’s mission and values.
This year, three honorees received the prestigious DAISY Award at Woodhull Hospital:
Dr. Jenny Uguru, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, AMB-BC, CLC, GRN, was awarded NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull’s first DAISY Award for Nurse Leader for her exceptional leadership, mentorship, community service, and commitment to fostering a culture of compassionate and quality care across the hospital.
Head Nurse Jamie Mei, RN received the DAISY Award for her professionalism, subject matter expertise in the Operating Room, and her outstanding leadership during a particularly challenging situation. Her resilience and empathy have made a significant impact on both her team and patients.
Head Nurse Rochelle Brown, RN was honored with a DAISY Award for her excellence in leadership, staff engagement, and her ability to deliver high-quality, compassionate care while balancing the logistical challenges of a busy unit. Her commitment to mentoring and supporting both staff and nursing students was also highlighted.
The 8ICU Critical Care Team was previously awarded NYC Health and Hospitals/Woodhull’s first DAISY Team Award and received a Certificate of Recognition for their collaborative efforts, extraordinary teamwork, and dedication to providing exceptional care during a complex patient case. Their ability to work together under pressure exemplifies the true spirit of compassionate care, and their collective contributions to patient outcomes were greatly recognized.
The ceremony included opening remarks from Sandra Sneed, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, who emphasized the importance of recognizing the invaluable contributions of nursing staff to patient care. Dr. Ross MacDonald, Chief Medical Officer, also expressed deep appreciation for the dedication and excellence demonstrated by the nursing team.
A deeply moving part of the ceremony was when Bonnie and Mark Barnes, parents of J. Patrick Barnes, shared their story. They recounted the experience of their son’s illness and the extraordinary care he received during his hospitalization, which led to the creation of The DAISY Award. Their story continues to inspire and remind us of the profound impact nurses have on patients and families.
Additionally, Ms. Martha Brown, a community member, shared her own family’s story, highlighting the positive influence of quality and compassionate nursing care at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull during their time of need.
“The DAISY Awards help us recognize and celebrate the incredible dedication, compassion, and skill of our nursing team,” said Sandra Sneed, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “Their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care to our patients, especially during challenging times, is truly inspiring. We are proud to have such a talented and compassionate team at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, and we look forward to continuing to support their growth and success.”
“We are thrilled that our deserving nurses are being honored in this way. The recognition is especially significant as these honorees were selected by their peers for this prestigious award. Well done and congratulations,” said Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie, COO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
Althea Senior-Morris, Chief Nursing Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, added, “As the CNO of the Department of Nursing and Patient Care Services, I am extremely proud of our partnership with the DAISY Foundation. Awarding staff with the DAISY Award assists us in staff engagement and satisfaction as we continue to strive for excellence in patient care.”
“As the DAISY Award Coordinator at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Chair of the Nursing Recognition Committee, we are honored to partner with the DAISY Foundation,” said Jenny Uguru, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, AMB-BC, CLC, GRN, Director of Nursing Quality. “This award recognizes those who consistently demonstrate excellence in patient care and personify our ICARE values—Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence with Kindness. It is a privilege to honor those who embody these values every day.”
“As the Director of Nursing for Critical Care and Radiology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, I believe in the transformative power of nursing to enhance patient care and outcomes. Together, we can create an inclusive environment that champions personal growth and fosters excellence in our field. It was an honor to present Dr. Jenny Uguru with the facility’s very first DAISY Nurse Leader Award. This recognition is well-deserved and reflects her unwavering commitment to excellence. We are thrilled to celebrate her achievements,” said Stacie Stewart, Director of Nursing for Critical Care and Radiology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
###
#056-25
MEDIA CONTACT: pressoffice@nychhc.org
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull
NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, part of the NYC Health + Hospitals health care system, is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Brooklyn. It is a premiere health care organization for key specialties, including surgery, cardiology, women’s health, pediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, renal services, and behavioral health services. Last year, the hospital received close to 300,000 ambulatory care visits and close to 100,000 emergency room visits. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
