We are pleased to announce the most recent UAB Medicine DAISY Award, recognizing the extraordinary care and compassion that nurses provide for patients and families every day. Submissions and stories are reviewed each month, and the winner is surprised at a special ceremony. You can submit a DAISY nurse nomination using the box on your unit or this online form.
Click here to view more photos from the award presentation.
Congratulations to the most recent winner, Payton Harbin, RN. Below, a patient explains what makes Payton worthy of a DAISY Award.
I would like to nominate Payton Harbin for the DAISY Award in recognition of the extraordinary compassion, kindness, and care she showed to my family member during one of the most difficult seasons of our lives. In 2025, we were in the Emergency Department at UAB Hospital while my family member continued to wait for a kidney transplant. We were overwhelmed, scared, and emotionally exhausted. From the moment Payton cared for my loved one, she brought a sense of calm and humanity to a situation that felt very heavy and uncertain. She made a lasting impact on us, not just because of her clinical care, but because of the way she made us feel seen, remembered, and genuinely cared for. In a time when everything felt out of our control, she became a steady and comforting presence.
What truly makes Payton unforgettable is that she never forgot my family member. Any time we return to the hospital, she remembers us and takes time out of her busy day to check on my loved one. Even when she is not assigned to his care, she still comes to see him. If he is in the ER for several days, she will stop by every morning and again every afternoon before she leaves, just to make sure he is okay, to ask how he is feeling, and to see if there is anything he needs. Those small moments of care have meant more to us than words can fully express.
She also notices the details that most people might overlook, but that matters deeply to us. She remembered that my family member does not eat pork and made sure it was clearly documented so he would always receive meals that respected his needs. That simple act showed us not just attention to detail, but a true respect for him as a person. It is also important to us that Payton is not assigned to his care when she checks on him. She chooses to do it anyway. That speaks to the kind of nurse she is.
Payton is, without question, one of the sweetest and most compassionate people we have ever encountered in a hospital setting. During a time filled with fear, uncertainty, and long hospital stays, Payton has given us something priceless: comfort, reassurance, and the feeling that we are never alone in this journey. She treats my loved one with dignity, kindness, and humanity when we need it most. We will never forget the difference she has made in our lives. She truly embodies what the DAISY Award stands for, and she deserves this recognition more than words can fully capture.