In our final NCLC Leading with Hearts and Minds Podcast episode for Season One, Ms Bonnie Barnes, Co-founder of the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation, and Dr Deb Zimmerman, CEO, DAISY Foundation, provide an insightful overview of the role and function of the organisation.

Bonnie (and her husband Mark) founded DAISY, having lost her stepson, Patrick, to Immune Thrombocytopenia in 1999. Bonnie, Mark and their family were so grateful for the holistic, compassionate nursing care Patrick received that they set up the foundation as a way of recognising nurses and midwives for all that they do.

Deb is the CEO of the foundation and shares how this initiative has spread from the United States to 44 countries internationally while also providing an overview of the impact of the DAISY awards on nurses and their organisations.

Having listened to our podcast, if you or your organisation would like to get involved with this initiative, please get in touch with alexandraschoen@DAISYfoundation.org

In this episode, Nursing and Midwifery Challenge Programme participant Rachel Kennedy shares her experiences of how this programme helped her develop her leadership skills and knowledge.

Rachel reflects on how she progressed through her Nursing career and used every opportunity for learning, growth and development. Rachel offers key messages for junior colleagues to help them overcome challenges they may meet.

Blathnaid O'Gorman, CNM2, Vulnerable Person’s Team, offers an inspiring insight into leading a service tailored to the needs of the individual as she shares her experience working in the area of inclusive health. Blaithnaid emphasises the importance of valuing everyone as a human being, regardless of how they present themselves or their social circumstances.

By using the skills and knowledge she acquired and developed as an ID nurse, Blathnaid demonstrates how she provides effective person-centred care, which enables her to connect with those in her care and empower them to make their own decisions regarding their health.

Throughout this podcast, it is evident that Blathnaid O'Gorman is an authentic leader who embodies the values of nursing every day in her role by ensuring that every service user receives high-quality care with the respect and dignity they deserve.