Celebrating Excellence in Nursing: Dynah Dunn-Wilkerson, RN, Honored with The DAISY Award

We’re proud to announce that Dynah Dunn-Wilkerson, RN, a compassionate and dedicated nurse at Morristown-Hamblen has been honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. This prestigious recognition celebrates nurses who consistently go above and beyond in delivering exceptional care to patients and their families.

The DAISY Award was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away from complications of an autoimmune disease. During his hospital stay, Patrick’s family was deeply moved by the extraordinary care and compassion shown by his nurses. In his memory, they created the DAISY Foundation to recognize nurses who make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Dynah’s nomination came directly from a grateful patient, who shared: 

“Thankful to have had you as my nurse. You were so patient, loving, and caring as I was waiting on my baby girl. A big thank you for being able to deal with my sister—sorry about that! You are awesome and don’t ever change. Thank you for everything!” 

Dynah’s ability to provide calm, supportive, and personalized care during such a significant life moment left a lasting impression. Her kindness and professionalism exemplify the values of nursing excellence that the DAISY Award seeks to honor. 

As a DAISY Award honoree, Dynah was celebrated in a special ceremony within her unit. She received: 

• A certificate of recognition
• A DAISY Award pin
• A hand-carved stone sculpture titled “A Healer’s Touch”, created by artists in Zimbabwe to symbolize the profound impact nurses have on their patients

The DAISY Award is part of an international nurse recognition program that honors the compassion, skill, and dedication nurses bring to their work every day. Nurses can be nominated by patients, families, coworkers, and physicians.

If you’ve experienced extraordinary care from a nurse, we encourage you to share your story. To submit a nomination or learn more about the DAISY Award, visit the Morristown-Hamblen DAISY Award page