Modeled after the DAISY Award for exceptional nurses, the DAISY Faculty award recognizes outstanding academic nursing faculty, by means of a national recognition program. The award is further meant to demonstrate appreciation to nursing educators for their commitment to the profession and inspirational influence on their students. Candidates have submitted to our external review committee evidence of: outstanding practice contributions to healthcare or health services, significant scholarship, and service to the university and/or the community, during the last calendar year. An honoree was selected by this committee in a blinded review of nominations. Because her accomplishments this year in all areas of faculty expertise have been exceptional, our first DAISY Award Honoree is Dr. Gwen George. As a post-Katrina nurse practitioner Gwen has made her indelible mark in the community as a provider of healthcare to the homeless and underserved both through her work at the New Orleans Faith Health Alliance and the St Joseph Rebuild Center .Gwen is well-known and respected as a board member of the Louisiana State Nurses Association, where she supports advanced practice at the state level. As an educator and scholar, she shared her expertise and experiences in the creation of a doctoral program in nursing practice at both national and international conferences. Within the Loyola community, Gwen is respected as an educator and was recognized last year as an outstanding student advisor by the campus Academic Advising Planning Group. Finally, in her commitment to the continuous process of improvement and evolution of nursing education, Gwen co-authored and received a 1.2 million dollar HRSA grant to support the DNP program. Gwen continues to serve as a role model and inspiration to both her students and her faculty colleagues in the school of nursing and is richly deserving of this award. Congratulations, Gwen.