Meet Two IHCNO DAISY Clinical Nurse Honorees!
On Friday, October 2, 2026, the IHCNO, a Supportive Association of the DAISY Foundation, recognized two IHCNO DAISY Clinical Nurses for the incredibly meaningful difference each of them makes every day in the life of their patient, Jake, and his parents. Christy Dykes, Jake’s mother, nominated Barbara Hunter, LPN, and Rachel Meyer, LPN for DAISY Awards. Honorees received the certificate, the DAISY statue, and a complimentary 1-year membership to IHCNO.
“Barbara Hunter, LPN, truly models the very best of nursing by consistently demonstrating empathy, a caring presence, exceptional clinical skill, and unwavering professionalism. For the past five years, she has cared for my son in our home, and during that time she has become not just his nurse, but a deeply valued and trusted member of our family.
The relationship she has built with my son, Jake, is extraordinary. Jake is blind, deaf, non-verbal, and confined to a hospital bed, yet she has developed a profound understanding of him that goes far beyond traditional communication. Through patience, consistency, and genuine compassion, they have created their own language. She often says that Jake knows all of her stories, and she knows all of his – an emotional connection that reflects her remarkable empathy and presence.
She demonstrates a calming, reassuring, caring presence in every interaction. It is common to find her sitting on the side of his bed with Jake gently propped against her, offering comfort simply by being there. She once said, “Jake just wants to know that I am here today.” And that statement captures the essence of how she practices nursing -fully present, attentive, and emotionally invested. She loves him as if he were her own grandson, and Jake clearly feels secure and comforted in her care.
After five years of consistent, compassionate, and highly skilled care, she has become an integral part of our lives. She has established a deep, meaningful connection not only with my son but with our entire family. She represents everything the DAISY Award stands for, and there is no one more deserving of this recognition.”
”Rachel Meyer, LPN, is an indispensable part of our family and my son’s care team. After five years in our home, I can say with certainty that I would not be able to function effectively as his caregiver without her. She consistently models empathy, professionalism, exceptional clinical skill, and an unwavering commitment to advocate for my son’s needs.
She manages every aspect of his medications and medical supplies with meticulous attention to detail. She tracks refills, monitors expiration dates, and ensures nothing is ever over looked. Her organization and reliability provide a level of safety and stability that allows our household to function smoothly. She takes full ownership of these responsibilities with professionalism and pride.
What sets her apart is her fierce advocacy. She has spent countless hours on the phone with pharmacies, medical supply companies, and insurance providers, refusing to give up until my son received exactly what he needs. Her persistence, knowledge, and determination ensure continuity of care and prevent gaps that could easily become harmful. She advocates for him as if he were her own child.
Her clinical skill, calm demeanor, and compassionate presence were never more evident than during one of the most traumatic moments of our lives when Jake suffered a sudden and devastating leg fracture. Despite the shock of the situation, she remained calm and focused. She immediately called 911, stayed with him, and comforted him while he endured intense pain- never leaving his side.
At the hospital, even though every movement caused him distress, she continued to support him calmly and skillfully, assisting with the transfer into the helicopter that flew him to the appropriate trauma facility. Because of her competence and composure, my husband and I were able to leave and get to the receiving hospital ahead of him, fully confident that he was safe, comforted, and understood.
That trust exists because she, like my other nurse, has developed her own unique language with my son. Although he is blind, deaf, and nonverbal, she knows exactly what he needs through every scream, moan, or subtle grunt. Her ability to interpret his clues reflects deep empathy, experience, and an extraordinary connection.
She is not just a nurse caring for my son- she is his protector, his advocate, and a true partner to our family. After five years, she has earned our complete trust and become an essential part of our lives. She embodies everything the DAISY Award represents and is profoundly deserving of this recognition.
The IHCNO Board of Directors congratulates Rachel and Barbara on their IHCNO DAISY Clinical Nurse Awards.
We awarded Rachel Meyer and Barbara Hunter, extraordinary nurses, for their compassion and exceptional care.
These moments are a meaningful way for us to come together and celebrate the incredible work that nurses are doing around the world.
Click here to view the presentation
IHCNO 2026 DAISY Award2026 IHCNO DAISY Nurse Leader Award: Artur CarvalhinhoIn recognition of his outstanding contribution to nursing and patient care, Artur Jorge Dias Carvalhinho, was honoured as a DAISY Awardee in 2026. This prestigious award reflects his commitment to compassionate care, professional excellence, and leadership in transforming healthcare delivery. As healthcare systems around the world face increasing pressures, innovative models of care are becoming more important than ever. For Artur Carvalhinho, Nurse Manager of a Hospital at Home Unit and DAISY Awardee 2026, the future of healthcare lies in bringing high-quality, person-centred care directly to patients in their own homes. Working closely with his multidisciplinary team, Artur supports patients and families through their daily health challenges, ensuring continuity, safety, and quality of care outside the traditional hospital environment. A central focus of his work is promoting health literacy, empowering individuals to better understand and manage their health while receiving care at home. Artur believes that Hospital at Home is more than an alternative to conventional hospitalisation—it is a fundamental pillar of future healthcare systems. By improving access to care, particularly for older adults and vulnerable populations, this model helps create a more equitable and responsive healthcare service. Together with his team, Artur is committed to advancing home hospitalisation within his country through innovation, collaboration, and strong community partnerships. Their work demonstrates how healthcare can be delivered in a way that is not only effective and safe, but also more humane, accessible, and sustainable. As demand for healthcare continues to grow, Hospital at Home offers a compelling vision for the future—one that places people, families, and communities at the heart of care.
Read Artur's nomination story here Watch the online presentation here 2026 IHCNO DAISY Nurse Leader Award: Mark Millar
The International Home Care Nurses Organization is proud to announce Mark Millar, MSc, RN, DN, QN, FHEA as the recipient of the 2026 IHCNO DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Nominated by Crystal Oldman, Mark is recognized for his exceptional leadership in community nursing education, his unwavering commitment to advancing the profession, and his dedication to supporting the next generation of nurses. IHCNO 2025 DAISY Awards Online Presentation Recording
Nominate an Extraordinary Home Care Clinical Nurse, Midwife, or Nurse Leader today! The International Home Care Nurses Organization (IHCNO) is a Supportive Association of the DAISY (Disease Attacking the Immune System) Foundation. The DAISY Foundation’s mission is to express gratitude to nurses for their extraordinary, compassionate, skillful care provided to patients and their families. The goal of this partnership is to recognize home care clinical nurses, midwives, and nurse leaders worldwide for the extraordinary care and compassion they provide to patients living in their homes, and their families that support them. IHCNO Extraordinary Home Care Clinical Nurse Criteria:
To nominate someone for the IHCNO DAISY Nurse Award you must use this form IHCNO Extraordinary Nurse Leader Nomination Criteria:
To nominate someone for the IHCNO DAISY Nurse Leader Award you must use this form Previous Awardees
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