Letterkenny University Hospital celebrates excellence in nursing

Three outstanding staff members from Letterkenny University Hospital have been acknowledged for the difference they make in their patients’ lives.

At a ceremony in the hospital on Aoife Kilcullen, Holly Dolan and Sinju Paddayatty Joyappan were chosen to receive a Daisy Award after being nominated by co-workers and patients. Following the resounding success of the Daisy Awards at LUH in 2024, the hospital was proud to continue its partnership with the Daisy Foundation during 2025. 

The last awards ceremony of 2025 took place, recognising the outstanding, compassionate care delivered by staff at LUH.

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The Daisy Award is an international recognition program that honours and celebrates the exceptional clinical skill and extraordinary compassion that Nurses and Midwives provide to patients and their families every day. Established by the family of J Patrick Barnes in the United States after his passing at the age of 33, the Daisy Foundation has grown into a global movement, with participating hospitals recognising caregivers who go above and beyond in their roles.

At LUH, four Daisy award ceremonies are held annually. Each nominee is presented with a Daisy nomination certificate and pin, with three honourees selected per quarter to receive the prestigious Daisy Award. Honourees receive a hand-carved 'Healer's Touch' sculpture, an honouree pin, a certificate, and cinnamon buns to share with colleagues, which is a tradition that began with Patrick Barnes’ family.

Aoife Kilcullen is a Candidate ANP in the Paediatric Emergency Department, was nominated for her care of a sick child and her ability to calm and reassure both mother and child. Holly Dolan, Staff Nurse, Emergency Department, was highlighted for her ability to take control of an emergency situation. Her nominator commended both her clinical skill and her sensitivity.

Sinju Paddayatty Joyappan, Staff Nurse, Surgical 2 was nominated by a patient for her exceptional care, kindness and professionalism during an extended hospital stay. In 2025 alone, over 116 Nurses and Midwives were nominated, with many nominations coming directly from grateful patients and their families. Friday's quarter four awards were deeply moving, with 34 nominees celebrated for their exceptional dedication and compassionate patient care. Throughout the nominations process, in 2025, the Emergency Department in LUH was identified as a particular area for commendation, with a total of 32 wonderful nurses from the Emergency Department nominated. These nurses went above and beyond in a very challenging environment whilst always focusing on quality patient care.

Una Cardin, Director of Nursing, in LUH said: “On behalf of Marion Doogan, Director of Midwifery and myself, I would like to congratulate Aoife, Holly, and Sinju. Your expertise, compassion and strong relationships you have with your patients and clients are everything the Daisy award was established to recognise. We want you to know that we are very proud of you all and this well-earned recognition highlights the difference you make every day to the patients you meet and care for.”

For more information about the Daisy Awards and to read about past LUH honourees, visit www.Daisyfoundation.org and search for "Letterkenny."