Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for July 2026. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® honors exceptional nursing staff, while the BEE Award recognizes other outstanding team members who demonstrate excellence every day, both at the hospital and in outpatient clinics.
Brooke Parrow, Registered Nurse, was honored with the July DAISY Award. She was recognized for providing exceptional support and compassionate care to a patient who was anxious about an upcoming procedure. Knowing the patient needed a familiar and reassuring presence, Parrow dedicated her personal time to offering comfort and encouragement throughout the experience. Her commitment to patient-centered care and her compassion serve as an inspiring example of nursing excellence.
The DAISY Award is an international award, backed by The DAISY Foundation. As a DAISY Award honoree, Parrow received a certificate of recognition, a DAISY Award pin, and the “A Healer’s Touch” sculpture—hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of the sculpture has been installed in Samaritan’s Healing Gardens to honor all current and future DAISY and BEE Award winners, funded by the Samaritan Auxiliary.
Joshua McArdell, Central Staff Scheduler, received the July BEE Award. Nominated by a co-worker, McArdell was highlighted for the small acts of kindness he demonstrates every day. From helping colleagues and patients to helping wherever it is needed, he embodies compassion and professionalism in all he does. His ability to make even the most challenging situations feel manageable has a positive impact on everyone around him. Josh’s dedication, reliability, and commitment to our HEART values make him an invaluable member of our team.
McArdell received a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with tokens of appreciation.
These awards are presented year-round, and patients, families, and colleagues are encouraged to submit nominations at any time. To make a nomination or learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.
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About Samaritan Medical Center
Samaritan Medical Center (Watertown, New York) is a 290-bed not-for-profit community medical center, offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. From primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and surgical services, such as cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care, behavioral health and addiction services, and imaging services, Samaritan Medical Center and its team of healthcare professionals proudly serves the medical needs of our civilian and military community. Quality, compassion, and safety are the basic principles by which exceptional care is delivered at Samaritan.
About The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and for nurses participating in medical missions. More information is available at http://www.DAISYfoundation.org.
