Mark and Bonnie Barnes
Bonnie and Mark were retired in 1999 when Mark’s son Patrick developed the auto-immune disease ITP. Pat and his wife had given birth to the family’s first grandchild just prior to Pat’s illness, so they flew to be with them. When Pat died after an 8-week hospitalization, Bonnie and Mark were compelled to express gratitude to nurses for their clinical skill and especially compassionate care. So, they created The DAISY Foundation and The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses which is now celebrated in nearly 4,500 healthcare facilities and colleges of nursing in 29 countries. Bonnie and Mark speak at healthcare organizations and nursing conferences throughout the year. They have been honored for their work by hospitals and nursing organizations with numerous recognitions. They are Honorary Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing and Honorary Members of AONL, Sigma Theta Tau International, Oncology Nursing Society and Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses.
