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Kaitlyn Wilson, a junior nursing student at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, recently received the DAISY Nursing Student Award from the Arkansas Nurses Association (ARNA). This award, which was presented to Wilson at the ARNA 2024 Gala and DAISY Awards on November 8 in Little Rock, Arkansas, recognizes her excellent compassion, care and advocacy for patients and their families as a student in the field of nursing.

Wilson, a Hamburg, Arkansas, resident who attended high school in DeWitt, Arkansas, was nominated by a peer who stated, “Kaitlyn deserves this award because she excels academically and has a positive, caring and inspiring attitude toward her patients in the clinical setting. She is a leader for all her classmates.”

“I’m honored to receive this award as it validates all my hard work in striving for a career in nursing,” Wilson said.

Dr. Brandy Haley, dean of the School of Nursing at UAM, stated, “We are not surprised that Katilyn was selected as the award recipient. She demonstrates excellence in delivering patient care, which stems from her compassion, dedication and integrity.” 

According to Susie P. Marks, the executive director of ARNA, the DAISY Award is an international program that recognizes extraordinary nurses and was “started in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Pat’s family experienced first-hand the difference his nurses made in his care through clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care. The family created The DAISY Award to express gratitude to nurses and to enable other patients, families and staff to thank and honor their special nurses.” More information is available at www.DAISYFoundation.org.