This award, sponsored by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, recognises those who have influenced change with a measurable impact on outcomes and experience.

Originally educated in India and now working in Scotland, Daisy’s nomination centred around how her work has transformed delirium care and advanced nursing practice in cardiothoracic surgery through research-led innovation. Her PhD-informed preoperative risk assessment and support pathway reduced delirium incidence from around 40% to 18%, improving recovery, patient experience, and length of stay. She leads nine specialist nursing teams, embedding audit, quality improvement, and nurse-led projects to build a research-active workforce. As a clinical academic nurse leader, Daisy also contributes to national guideline development, international collaborations, and regularly teaches, mentors, and presents at conferences worldwide.

The judges praised Daisy for developing her own blueprint for a service where there was none. Head Judge, Eileen McKenna, said: “We were particularly impressed with Daisy’s role modelling, influencing and impacting not only new evidence, but also nurses in practice, mentoring, leading and supporting them to reach their potential and make a difference to care experience.”

Congratulating Daisy on her win, Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Executive Director said: "Clinical nurse academics and researchers are the foundation of evidence-based practice. This essential area of nursing can only grow with nurses like Daisy, who inspire and empower other nursing staff to become clinical academics. A very worthy winner indeed.”

Congratulations also go to runner up Tracey Downey, Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and our highly commended finalist Inga Heyman, Associate Professor (Policing and Public Health) with Edinburgh Napier University.

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