Madison Klepfer, a registered nurse at Memorial 3, UHS Binghamton General Hospital, was named the February winner of the DAISY Award, according to an announcement on Apr. 3. The award recognizes extraordinary nurses for their care and compassion.
The DAISY Award is an international program that honors skillful and compassionate nursing care. The recognition matters because it highlights the importance of empathy and dedication in healthcare settings.
Klepfer was nominated by a colleague who described her as someone who consistently goes above and beyond for patients and their families. In the nomination letter, the colleague wrote, “What sets her apart is her ability to deeply connect with her patients. She does not just acknowledge their pain and fears, she feels them. She transforms that empathy to powerful advocacy, collaborating with the care team to ensure each patient receives the safest, most thoughtful, and most effective treatment plan possible.”
The award presentation included cinnamon rolls as a symbolic treat in honor of Patrick Barnes, whose experience inspired the creation of the DAISY Foundation after he died from complications of ITP in 1999.
UHS began participating in this program in April 2021. Nurses can be nominated by anyone within the organization—including patients or colleagues—using a form available on nyuhs.org where nominators can also select which core value (Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork or Innovation) was displayed.
The ongoing recognition through awards like DAISY reflects broader efforts within healthcare institutions to support outstanding caregivers and promote values-driven service.
