September 2026 Honoree
Amanda Simpson, BSN, RN-BC
I would like to recognize Amanda from EDRC for the DAISY Award in recognition of the incredible activity, hope, and belief they brought into my recovery during a time when I struggled to find any of those things within myself.
Recovery in residential care can feel heavy. There are days filled with doubt, fear and the overwhelming urge to give up.
What made Amanda extraordinary was the way she consistently showed up with a genuinely positive, unwavering attitude. Not in a way that dismissed how hard things were, but in a way that made healing feel possible. She had a way of seeing beyond where I was in the moment and recognizing who I could become.
Even on days when I felt stuck, discouraged, or resistant, she never treated me like I was failing. Instead, she spoke to me as someone who was capable, strong, and still moving forward. Her belief in me was steady and unshaken, even when my own belief in myself was nonexistent.
What made her impact so powerful was how authentic it felt. Her encouragement wasn't generic — it was intentional and specific. She noticed progress I couldn't see. She reframed setbacks in a way that made them feel like part of growth instead of proof that I couldn't recover. Over time, her voice began to challenge the negative one in my own mind.
Because of Amanda, something started to shift. I began to question the idea that I couldn't do this. I started to consider that maybe they were right about me — that maybe I was capable of recovery, even if I didn't fully believe it yet. Her belief became a bridge that helped me start building belief in myself.
Because of her positivity, she created an environment that felt safe, encouraging, and grounded in hope. She showed me that it's possible to hold both honesty about how hard recovery is and optimism about where it can lead. That balance made all the difference.
Amanda didn't just support my recovery — she helped change the way I see myself. Amanda's positivity, ability to instill hope, and her deep belief in the people she cares for truly embody the spirit of the DAISY Award. I am incredibly grateful for the impact she had on my life.
Recovery in residential care can feel heavy. There are days filled with doubt, fear and the overwhelming urge to give up.
What made Amanda extraordinary was the way she consistently showed up with a genuinely positive, unwavering attitude. Not in a way that dismissed how hard things were, but in a way that made healing feel possible. She had a way of seeing beyond where I was in the moment and recognizing who I could become.
Even on days when I felt stuck, discouraged, or resistant, she never treated me like I was failing. Instead, she spoke to me as someone who was capable, strong, and still moving forward. Her belief in me was steady and unshaken, even when my own belief in myself was nonexistent.
What made her impact so powerful was how authentic it felt. Her encouragement wasn't generic — it was intentional and specific. She noticed progress I couldn't see. She reframed setbacks in a way that made them feel like part of growth instead of proof that I couldn't recover. Over time, her voice began to challenge the negative one in my own mind.
Because of Amanda, something started to shift. I began to question the idea that I couldn't do this. I started to consider that maybe they were right about me — that maybe I was capable of recovery, even if I didn't fully believe it yet. Her belief became a bridge that helped me start building belief in myself.
Because of her positivity, she created an environment that felt safe, encouraging, and grounded in hope. She showed me that it's possible to hold both honesty about how hard recovery is and optimism about where it can lead. That balance made all the difference.
Amanda didn't just support my recovery — she helped change the way I see myself. Amanda's positivity, ability to instill hope, and her deep belief in the people she cares for truly embody the spirit of the DAISY Award. I am incredibly grateful for the impact she had on my life.
Thank you, Amanda, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
View More Honorees