TAMIU Honors Nursing Professor with DAISY Faculty Award

In honor of the commitment to serving as a role model and mentor to students pursuing careers in the nursing profession, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) clinical assistant professor of nursing Dr. Belva González was named this year’s recipient of the Diseases Attacking the Immune System, or DAISY Faculty Award.

The award presented to González during this year’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences Pinning and Hooding ceremony recognized her commitment to the success of students. 

“The prestigious DAISY Faculty Award is given to a nursing faculty member who serves as both a role model and mentor within the nursing profession; to someone who has consistently demonstrated enthusiasm for teaching and learning; and [practices] nursing that inspires and motivates students,” explained TAMIU assistant professor of nursing and director of  graduate programs Dr. Marivic Torregosa.

The award included a DAISY pin, certificate, and a Healer Touch sculpture. The sculpture stone, crafted by a Shona healer from Zimbabwe, depicts the relationship between nurses and their patients, as well as the one between DAISY faculty and their students. 

González has been a faculty member at the Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing since 2002. She earned her Doctorate of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, as well as both her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 

In addition to her teaching experience, González has served as a nurse at Mercy Regional Medical Center, Valley Regional Medical Center, Brownsville Medical Center and Christus Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi, to name a few.

Established in 1999, the DAISY Faculty Award was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died from complications of an auto-immune disease. Inspired by the compassion and clinical skills of the nurses who cared for Barnes, his family decided to create the Award to recognize exceptional nurses. 

The DAISY Foundation works to provide colleges and schools of nursing a national recognition program that demonstrates appreciation to faculty and their commitment to nursing students. The Foundation works to foster a positive work environment.

Recipients of the DAISY Faculty Award possess the qualities outlined by the Foundation, including holding interest and respect for learners; demonstrating an enthusiasm for teaching, nursing, and learning; using personal attributes to encourage professional growth; having excellent interpersonal skills; remaining fair and unbiased, and developing collaborative working relationships.

For more information on the DAISY Faculty Award or TAMIU undergraduate or graduate nursing programs, please contact the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at 956.326.2450, visit offices in the Dr. F.M. Canseco Hall, room 304, or visit www.tamiu.edu/conhs.  

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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