I am writing to enthusiastically nominate Katy Scott-Burke for the prestigious DAISY Award. In every aspect of her work, Katy embodies the qualities of integrity, compassion, and professionalism that the DAISY Award represents.

Katy is a beacon of positivity and reliability within our team. No matter how challenging the situation, Katy consistently demonstrates a level of honesty and transparency that fosters trust and respect. She happily jumps in to teach a class she’s never taught before, check in with a new nurse she’s never met, or help facilitate a workshop with little notice. She utilizes standard work, navigates through Teams, OneNote, and Excel with ease, and closes the loop on items delegated to her. One of the most remarkable qualities of Katy is how transparent she is about her capacity, so you know when she offers help, she is genuine and engaged. Her commitment to maintaining healthy boundaries while still providing unwavering support is truly commendable. She also helps break down silos, eliminate double work, and improve our efficiency. Katy noted that many unit-based NPDPs were teaching similar content, compiled their slides and along with ICU NPD Generalist, Sarah Lewicki-Hendrix took over the first half of our monthly Welcome classes. This has saved hundreds of hours of work annually for unit NPD Practitioners.

When Housewide Education needs come up, Katy tackles them with fervor, working with her ICU counterpart, to develop an education plan, create resources and training and disseminate information. Katy and her ICU counterpart schedule drop-in times for NPD Practitioners to review educational materials and get hands on practice with new equipment and procedures before rounding with frontline staff. She takes the time to walk each of us through new and complex concepts to ensure our understanding. I am a better NPD Practitioner because of the support I receive from Katy.

Katy is always there with a smile and a genuine desire to make a difference. Her dedication to the Nursing Professional Development specialty is not only inspiring but also deeply appreciated by everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her. What sets Katy apart is her ability to recognize her own limits and communicate them effectively. While she is quick to jump in and offer support, she also understands the importance of self-care and balance. Instead of spreading herself too thin, Katy prioritizes her well-being, ensuring that she can continue to provide exceptional care and support over the long term. So often we celebrate nurses who put in long hours, extend themselves beyond their capacity, and “consistently go above and beyond.” Katy reminds me to take care of myself, ask for help, and trust in my peers for support.

I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Katy.