The DAISY Faculty Award is presented to a NKU faculty member who demonstrates enthusiasm for teaching, learning, and nursing that inspires and motivates students.  This year?s recipient is Sandra Turkelson.  Sandy has been teaching at NKU going on 16 years and received her certification as a nurse educator 3 years ago.  Prior to coming to NKU, Sandy was employed by the Christ Hospital in the area of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery.  She served in various positions including staff nurse in the SICU, cardiovascular recovery nurse, critical care educator, certified clinical nurse specialist and case manager.  Sandy also has been a Director of Nursing at a small rural hospital and a school nurse for four years.   Sandy was nominated by both students and fellow faculty members.  One student wrote the following about Sandy: ?I really cannot pinpoint an exact time Sandy has made an impact on me because she has been continuously since the very moment I walked into her classroom.  I was a scared, nervous, and intimidated semester nursing student when Sandy first met me.  The first thing she did was make me feel safe and at home.  Her kind and caring demeanor immediately calmed me down and made me feel so much more comfortable.  Her constant encouragement and incredible easygoing and passionate attitude helped me succeed my semester not only in her class but every other.  Sandy truly cares about each individual student.  She is so passionate and dedicated to nursing and nursing education and that it rubs off on us students as well.  I have never met someone so loving, helpful, encouraging and determined as Sandy who deserves this award.  She is the perfect example of what all nurses and professors should be.  She?s an inspiration, encouragement, and one of the most influential people I have ever met.  Thanks to her, I fell in love with nursing all over again and she has given me the confidence I need to succeed forever.?  What this student wrote truly captured the essence of how everyone feels about Sandy in the College of Health Professions.  Sandy changes lives.