The Pathfinder Award is established to recognize an Alumnus who has gone ahead of others to create or discover something previously unexplored. Alumni who receive this award have been responsible for developing an exemplary program, theory, and innovation, or have overcome barriers to improve the profession and patient care. Additionally, they have had a local, national, or international impact and have been recognized by their peers as pioneers in the profession. Pathfinders Award winners represent the nursing profession in leadership and have demonstrated ongoing support of the College of Nursing. Nominees are chosen by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing students, or professional colleagues.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is established to recognize an alumnus at the culmination of their career. These alumni have been practicing nursing for over 25 years and have made a significant contribution to the profession of nursing, either as an educator, clinician, leader, or administrator, and have demonstrated ongoing support of the College of Nursing. Nominees are chosen by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing student, or professional colleagues.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is established to recognize mid-career nursing professionals achieving excellence in their particular area of nursing: clinician, educator, leader, or administrator. These Alumni are working toward significant contributions to nursing on a local, national, or international level and have demonstrated ongoing support of the College of Nursing. Nominees are chosen by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing students, or professional colleagues.
The Rising Star Award is established to recognize recent graduates (within the last 5 years) of the University of Colorado College of Nursing's baccalaureate program. Recipients have demonstrated achievement in nursing, have been identified for their potential for contribution toward the nursing profession, and are supportive of the College of Nursing. Nominees are chosen by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing students, or professional colleagues.
Recipients of Honorary Alumni Awards are nominated by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing student or professional colleagues. Nurses that receive this award are graduates of a recognized program in nursing and have made a significant contribution to the college, either financially or in time and effort for the benefit of the college. Additionally, recipients are recognized in the community for his/her philanthropic efforts toward the betterment of quality of life issues and patient care.
The Alumni board recognizes the many numerous contributions that Clare Sandekian, MS '69, RN, CNS, CAC III, has brought to the Alumni Association over a period of 20 years. For her vision, leadership, insight and support, Sandekian has been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award.
Recipients of the Special Commendation Award are nominated by the Dean’s Office, alumni, faculty, current nursing student, or professional colleague. They are a nurse or non-nurse who has contributed substantially to the support of nursing education and/or the improvement of nursing care in Colorado through philanthropic, political or administrative channels.
About The DAISY Foundation and the DAISY Awards
An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 in memory
of J. Patrick Barnes who died (at the age of 33) from complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Patrick’s family was very touched by the remarkable compassion and clinical skill demonstrated by Patrick’s
nurses during his illness, so they created DAISY to recognize exceptional nurses everywhere. The College of Nursing Alumni Association, in partnership with the DAISY Foundation, is dedicated to saying Thank You to Nurses and is proud to recognize
Nursing Faculty with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Faculty and The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students.
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty
2023, Tammy Spencer, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CCNS, CNE, `89, `10, `17
2022, Michelle Jhong, MA, BSN | BSN ‘19
2021, Megan Champion, FNP | MS '15
2020, Mary Beth Makic PhD, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, FAAN, FNAP FCNS | PhD '07
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
2023, Kelsey Connolly, BSN, `25
2022, Taylor Santangelo, BSN, RN | BSN ‘22
2021, Chantal Dengah, MSN, BSN | BSN '19, MSN '21
2020, Leo Tyler | UCAN '20
2020, Christian Alord | UCAN '20
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