Three Letterkenny University Hospital Nurses and Midwife Honoured with International Daisy Award

Three exceptional members of staff at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) have been recognised for their outstanding differences they make in the lives of patients and families.

At a special ceremony held in the hospital on Friday, 13th February, Mary Grace Alegarme, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology; Susanne Brolly, Midwife in the Labour Ward; and Daya Narayan, Staff Nurse in Surgical 2, were presented with the prestigious Daisy Award. The recipients were nominated by patients, families and colleagues in recognition of their clinical excellence and compassionate care.

Following the tremendous success of the DAISY Awards at LUH in 2025, the hospital was proud to continue its partnership with The DAISY Foundation by hosting its first award ceremony of 2026.

The DAISY Award is an international programme that honours the extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care demonstrated by nurses and midwives every day. Established in the United States by the family of J. Patrick Barnes following his death at the age of 33, the DAISY Foundation has grown into a global movement, with participating healthcare organisations celebrating professionals who consistently go above and beyond for their patients.

LUH hosts four DAISY Award ceremonies annually. All nominees receive a DAISY certificate and pin in recognition of their contribution, while three honourees are selected each quarter to receive the award. Award recipients are presented with a hand-carved “Healer’s Touch” sculpture, an honouree pin, a certificate, and cinnamon buns to share with colleagues, a tradition inspired by ‘Patrick Barnes’ family.

Nominees were nominated for a wide range of reasons with award recipients:

Mary Grace Alegarme, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology being nominated by the family of a long-term cancer patient for her exceptional and compassionate support during a difficult period of treatment.

Susan Brolly, Midwife in the Labour Ward was recognised for her calm, professional and reassuring care during a labour that unexpectedly resulted in an emergency caesarean section, ensuring the family felt safe and supported throughout.

Daya Narayan, Staff Nurse in Surgical 2 being nominated for her kindness, dignity and dedication in caring for an elderly patient, providing both excellent clinical care and meaningful reassurance during a vulnerable hospital stay.

Marion Doogan, Director of Midwifery at LUH, said, “The DAISY Awards give us an important opportunity to recognise the remarkable care our nurses and midwives provide every day. Well done to all those who have been nominated today and to Mary Grace, Susanne and Daya who exemplify the professionalism, compassion and commitment that define nursing and midwifery at LUH. Their dedication to patient-centred care makes a lasting difference to patients and families, and we are delighted to see them receive this well-deserved recognition.”

Una Cardin, Director of Nursing at LUH said, “Today is about recognising the exceptional standard of care delivered across LUH. Mary Grace, Susanne and Daya consistently go above and beyond for their patients, and we are delighted to see their commitment and professionalism acknowledged in this way.”

For more information about the DAISY Awards and to read about past LUH honourees, visit: www.daisyfoundation.org and search for “Letterkenny”.

To nominate a Nurse or Midwife at LUH, visit: www.daisynomination.org/4939