We are proud to have joined The DAISY Foundations community of Supportive Associations! The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.) The care Patrick and his family received from Nurses while he was hospitalized inspired the creation of The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses, an evidenced-based means of providing Nurse recognition and thanking Nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in thousands of healthcare facilities and schools of nursing around the world with an array of recognition programs that celebrate and honor Nurses, Nurse Leaders and Nurse Led Teams wherever they practice, throughout their careers from students through lifetime achievement in nursing and through several lines of grant funding. DAISY’s Supportive Associations share their passion for recognizing extraordinary and compassionate work of Nurses and the commitment to improving healthcare by the work they do each day. We look forward to collaborating with DAISY to further each other’s missions. 

THE DAISY FOUNDATION™ AND CSNO UNITE TO CHAMPION SCHOOL NURSING EXCELLENCE 

July 1, 2026 (Sacramento, CA) - The California School Nurses Organization (CSNO) and The DAISY Foundation™ are pleased to announce a new partnership focused on recognizing and celebrating the exceptional contributions of school nurses throughout California.

CSNO is honored to welcome The DAISY Foundation™ to the CSNO community and looks forward to advancing a shared mission of honoring nurses for their compassionate care, dedication, and meaningful impact on the individuals and communities they serve. The partnership brings together two organizations committed to elevating the recognition of nursing excellence and highlighting the important role nurses play in improving health outcomes.

The DAISY Foundation’s longstanding commitment to recognizing extraordinary nurses aligns with CSNO’s dedication to advancing the practice of school nursing, promoting student health, and supporting school nurses who care for California’s students, families, and school communities.

Through this collaboration, CSNO and The DAISY Foundation™ will provide new opportunities to recognize school nurses for their expertise, advocacy, compassion, and commitment to ensuring students have access to safe and supportive learning environments. “Our partnership with the DAISY Awards is an opportunity to shine a light on the extraordinary care and commitment nursing professionals bring to students, families, and school communities every day. Recognizing their work inspires excellence and reminds every nurse that they truly matter” said Katie Nilsson, MSN, RN, PHN, CPN, RCSN, CSNO President.  This partnership celebrates the unique contributions of school nurses and the difference they make every day in the lives of students across the state.

The partnership between CSNO and The DAISY Foundation™ reflects a shared commitment to fostering a culture of appreciation, celebrating nursing excellence, and honoring the vital role school nurses play in creating healthier, safer, and more supportive environments for students throughout California.

“CSNO is excited to bring the DAISY Award opportunity to our school nurse community,” said Sheri Coburn, EdD, MS, RN, PHN, RCSN, CSNO Executive Director Consultant. “Credentialed school nurses provide exemplary care and are committed to promoting the health and well-being of students statewide. This is another meaningful way to recognize and thank them for all that they do”.