‘They don’t just provide care, they provide hope’: Rogers announces two nurses as first DAISY Award winners of 2026
For the first time, Rogers’ Daisy Award ceremony honored not one but two first-place winners.
Held in March, Rogers’ 9th Daisy Award ceremony named Alicia Meyer and Kaylee Schleicher, registered nurses at the Sheboygan clinic, as joint winners. You can read an excerpt from their shared nomination from a patient below.
“At Rogers, the standard of care is famously high, but these nurses didn’t just meet that bar, they shattered it. I found myself in a state of pure, paralyzed panic when a roommate’s crisis brought an ambulance and firetruck to our doorstep.
“In a moment where I felt my safety, my privacy, and my mental health collapsing, one nurse stepped in as my protector. She didn’t just find me a safe space; she anticipated the emotional weight I was carrying. By securing my medications and coordinating with staff behind the scenes, she saved me from the burden of guilt that would have derailed my recovery. She protected my dignity without ever making me feel like a ‘burden’.
“Coupled with another nurse’s unwavering dedication, this duo became the backbone of my success. They ensured every detail of my care – from the house to my providers at home – was seamless. They saw me as a person, not just a patient.
“I truly believe I wouldn’t have been as successful in treatment without them. They are the heart of Rogers, and they represent the very best of the nursing profession. They don’t just provide care, they provide hope.”
Recognizing our honorees
Several nurses received nominations during this most recent period, including our second and third-place honorees. The second-place recognition was given to Kim Young, registered nurse, Mental Health Recovery, Oconomowoc, while the third-place acknowledgement was given to Alyssa Kerr, registered nurse, Admissions, Brown Deer.
Nominate a nurse for a future DAISY award
Rogers is among more than 5,000 healthcare organizations and schools of nursing worldwide committed to honoring exemplary nurses through the DAISY Award program. Nurses are nominated by anyone who experiences or observes extraordinary, compassionate care: current and former patients, family members, fellow nurses, physicians, clinicians, and other employees.
The next round of nominations is open now! Nominations, including a detailed account of why the nurse is deserving of the honor, may be submitted by clicking here. Visit www.daisyfoundation.org or watch a video to learn more about the DAISY Award.
