Methodist College Student Justin Sidney Receives DAISY in Training Award

Justin Sidney of Peoria has been selected as the Methodist College - UnityPoint Health recipient of the DAISY in Training Award. The DAISY in Training Award is a recognition program of the national DAISY Foundation that recognizes and celebrates nursing students who exemplify the delivery of clinical care in an extraordinary and compassionate way to patients and their families.

Sidney was recognized for his compassion and dedication to the principles of nursing. During the 2016-2017 academic year he participated in a forum entitled "Freedom and Responsibility in Education"  in which he shared how personal accountability, hard work, and determination were the keys to his success in his nurse education career. The forum was organized by Methodist College instructor Dr. Octavian Gabor. Gabor, along with nursing instructor Lisa Preston nominated Sidney for the DAISY in Training Award.

"Justin is one of the most compassionate persons I have met," stated Gabor in the nomination. "After sharing how he wished his lessons-learned could be shared with his peers, the idea of the forum was born. Justin dedicated his time and energy to help others. After the presentation, many people told me that he should be a motivational speaker. Every day, with every person, he already is!"

Preston shared her experiences with having Sidney in her class. "Justin arrived in my classroom every single day with a smile on his face," said Preston. "He sat in the same place in the back of the room and remained fully engaged. Each week he would ask questions about how theory connected to his clinical patient and took initiative and always went the extra mile to get the most out of his experience."

Nursing Instructor Lisa Gillespie presents Justin Sidney with his DAISY in Training Award certificate and mementos.

Justin Sidney graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree on December 16, 2017. He will soon sit for his national licensure exam and will be working in the cardiac unit of a Peoria hospital. 

The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of Patrick Barnes who died at the age of 33 from the auto-immune disease, ITP. The family was so touched by the care and compassion that Barnes received during his illness, they established the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation as a way to recognize extraordinary nurses who daily demonstrate the care and compassion Patrick received.