Cedarville University graduate Lianna Hurley received international recognition for the compassionate, holistic care she provided to a patient at Parkland Medical Center.
Hurley, a 2025 nursing graduate from Merrimack, New Hampshire, received a DAISY Award in May 2026 after being nominated for the honor within her first four months as a nurse. The international award recognizes nurses who demonstrate exceptional compassion and clinical care.
For Hurley, the recognition carried particular significance after the challenges of nursing school.
“Nursing school was not an easy journey for me, and there were many moments when I questioned whether I was capable,” Hurley said. “Receiving this recognition has given me greater confidence to keep learning, growing and serving faithfully.”
Hurley was nominated by a patient who underwent an appendectomy at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, New Hampshire. As the patient’s primary nurse during surgery and recovery, Hurley managed IV fluids, antibiotics and pain medication while monitoring the patient’s condition. But the care that stood out went beyond clinical responsibilities.
During the patient’s hospital stay, Hurley took time to listen and engage in conversations about faith. The patient, who had grown up Catholic, expressed an interest in Christianity.
“I had the opportunity to sit, talk with them and listen with genuine interest and respect,” Hurley said. “I pray those conversations planted seeds, even though they were brief.”
In the DAISY Award nomination, the patient described Hurley’s care as “more human and less clinical.” For Hurley, the comment reflected her commitment to holistic nursing care that addresses patients’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs—an approach she said Cedarville’s nursing program helped shape.
“While in nursing school, I was equipped with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to provide excellent patient care, but I was also continually reminded that every patient is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect,” Hurley said.
Hurley said holistic care can include asking patients where they find hope, offering to pray with them or simply listening well. Even when conversations about faith do not arise, she seeks to demonstrate the love of Jesus through patience, kindness and respect.
The DAISY Foundation partners with more than 7,900 health care facilities and nursing schools to recognize nurses for extraordinary care. Nurses are nominated throughout the year, with participating organizations selecting recipients according to criteria that reflect their missions and values.
The DAISY Foundation was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, an autoimmune disease. His family created the foundation in gratitude for the nurses who cared for him and to recognize nurses worldwide whose compassionate care makes a lasting difference for patients and families.
DAISY Award recipients receive a signature pin and a hand-carved sculpture symbolizing the relationship between nurses and patients. Nursing units also celebrate with cinnamon rolls, a tradition inspired by Barnes’ favorite treat during his hospitalization.
For Hurley, receiving the award early in her career reinforced both the difficulty and purpose of nursing.
“Nursing is one of the most rewarding professions, but it is also one of the hardest,” Hurley said. “There are days when you feel inadequate or overwhelmed, but I’ve learned that God is faithful and His grace is sufficient.”
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,542 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.