September 2026 Honoree
Julia Proshwitz, BSN, RN, OCN, NPD-BC
Julia Proshwitz exemplifies the Nurse Professional Development DAISY Award characteristic of fostering a compassionate environment where learners flourish. She consistently shares her passion for oncology nursing and professional growth, creating a culture where questions are welcomed, learning is encouraged, and every team member feels supported. Julia actively seeks opportunities to address educational needs and empowers nurses across the oncology service line to expand their knowledge and confidence.
Through her leadership, she completely redesigned the education and onboarding experience for nurses in radiation oncology, outpatient infusion, outpatient oncology practices, and the inpatient medical oncology unit, ensuring learners receive comprehensive, meaningful, and practice-relevant preparation. Her approachable nature and unwavering commitment to staff development have created an environment where nurses feel valued, capable, and inspired to grow.
Julia also demonstrates an exceptional ability to facilitate a spirit of inquiry and lifelong learning. She encourages nurses to identify opportunities for improvement within their practice and partners with them to transform ideas into meaningful outcomes.
For example, she collaborated with me to develop a comprehensive patient education packet focused on neutropenic fever. Together, we then led regional collaboration among oncology practices, three emergency departments, the inpatient medical oncology unit, and local primary care offices to ensure patients received consistent education regarding prevention, symptom recognition, and when and where to seek emergent care.
Julia also mentored two inpatient oncology nurses in developing mobile chemotherapy administration carts that improve access to essential supplies and equipment, enhancing both safety and efficiency. Both projects were recognized as poster presentations at the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) 2026 Congress in San Antonio, Texas, demonstrating her ability to cultivate inquiry and scholarship among frontline nurses.
In addition, Julia promotes the development and advancement of professional identity. She was instrumental in establishing a partnership between the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) and Corewell Health South through the ONCC FreeTake Program. During the first year, all six participants successfully passed the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) examination on their first attempt, achieving a remarkable 100% pass rate.
To support certification success, Julia developed study materials offering continuing education credit and provided numerous resources to guide nurses through the certification process. She has also created a wide range of online learning modules covering orientation, symptom management, oncologic emergencies, and diagnosis-specific case studies that strengthen clinical expertise across the continuum of care.
Beyond oncology, Julia supports professional development throughout the organization, including the vascular access team, nurse residency, simulation programs, and dialysis services. She is an extraordinary educator whose mentorship, innovation, and dedication have positively impacted countless nurses and ultimately improved patient care.
She is the most effective nurse educator and professional development coordinator I have had the privilege to work with and is highly deserving of this recognition.
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This is Julia's 2nd DAISY Award!
Through her leadership, she completely redesigned the education and onboarding experience for nurses in radiation oncology, outpatient infusion, outpatient oncology practices, and the inpatient medical oncology unit, ensuring learners receive comprehensive, meaningful, and practice-relevant preparation. Her approachable nature and unwavering commitment to staff development have created an environment where nurses feel valued, capable, and inspired to grow.
Julia also demonstrates an exceptional ability to facilitate a spirit of inquiry and lifelong learning. She encourages nurses to identify opportunities for improvement within their practice and partners with them to transform ideas into meaningful outcomes.
For example, she collaborated with me to develop a comprehensive patient education packet focused on neutropenic fever. Together, we then led regional collaboration among oncology practices, three emergency departments, the inpatient medical oncology unit, and local primary care offices to ensure patients received consistent education regarding prevention, symptom recognition, and when and where to seek emergent care.
Julia also mentored two inpatient oncology nurses in developing mobile chemotherapy administration carts that improve access to essential supplies and equipment, enhancing both safety and efficiency. Both projects were recognized as poster presentations at the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) 2026 Congress in San Antonio, Texas, demonstrating her ability to cultivate inquiry and scholarship among frontline nurses.
In addition, Julia promotes the development and advancement of professional identity. She was instrumental in establishing a partnership between the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) and Corewell Health South through the ONCC FreeTake Program. During the first year, all six participants successfully passed the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) examination on their first attempt, achieving a remarkable 100% pass rate.
To support certification success, Julia developed study materials offering continuing education credit and provided numerous resources to guide nurses through the certification process. She has also created a wide range of online learning modules covering orientation, symptom management, oncologic emergencies, and diagnosis-specific case studies that strengthen clinical expertise across the continuum of care.
Beyond oncology, Julia supports professional development throughout the organization, including the vascular access team, nurse residency, simulation programs, and dialysis services. She is an extraordinary educator whose mentorship, innovation, and dedication have positively impacted countless nurses and ultimately improved patient care.
She is the most effective nurse educator and professional development coordinator I have had the privilege to work with and is highly deserving of this recognition.
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This is Julia's 2nd DAISY Award!
Thank you, Julia, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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