The First Yes: How One Decision Sparked a Global Movement in Nursing Excellence

A single leadership decision, saying yes to a new way of honoring nurses, helped catalyze a global movement in nurse recognition. In 2000, Susan Grant, Chief Nursing Officer at the University of Washington Medical Center, agreed to pilot a program that invited patients and families to define extraordinary nursing care through their own stories. That decision became the DAISY Award®. In this interview, Dr Grant reflects on the origins of DAISY and leadership lessons for today. The message is clear: some of the most enduring innovations in nursing do not begin with metrics or technology, but with courage, humility, and a commitment to purpose.