Bonnie and Mark Barnes Receive Honorary Doctorates from Chamberlain University
CHICAGO — OCT. 20, 2021 — Chamberlain University recognized DAISY Foundation co-founders Bonnie and Mark Barnes’s exceptional contributions to the nursing profession with honorary doctorate degrees during the university’s October virtual commencement.
The Barneses family created the DAISY Foundation in 1999 in the memory of Mark’s son J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications of an auto-immune disease. They were inspired by the dedication of the nurses who supporting him and the family during his eight-week hospitalization. Today, the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, faculty and nursing students is presented at more than 4,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing around the world.
“We can’t think of two people who deserve this honorary doctorate more than Bonnie and Mark Barnes,” said Chamberlain University president Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FACHE, FAAN. “Bonnie and Mark Barnes have devoted more than 20 years to ensuring nurses are honored and recognized for their compassionate care, extraordinary clinical skills and patient advocacy. The Barnes’s tireless efforts to support and humanize the nursing profession is inspiring and humbling.”
Chamberlain, which has the largest school of nursing in the country, honored them with an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters that was formally presented on Oct. 16.
“We have profound respect for the work nurses do for their patients and their families, and Chamberlain’s commitment to a culture of care brings such extraordinary nurses into the healthcare system - the very nurses that DAISY was created to honor and celebrate” said Bonnie Barnes.
With a 130-year history of preparing extraordinary nursing graduates and healthcare professionals, Chamberlain University continuously strives to offer programs that help students and alumni step forward and make a difference in healthcare. The institution is committed to fostering students’ success in school so they are prepared for a career in the healthcare system.
The Barnes’ believe that nurses are the world’s humble heroes: “Every day you will be someone’s hero,” said Mark Barnes. “Every day you will have the opportunity to make your patient’s life better in some way, and every day you will make the world a better place because of what you do.”
To read more, visit the Chamberlain University blog.
About Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University is a part of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE). Chamberlain University’s mission is to educate, empower and embolden diverse healthcare professionals who advance the health of people, families, communities and nations. Chamberlain is comprised of the College of Nursing, which offers a three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program and flexible post-licensure programs such as the RN to BSN option, Master of Science in Nursing degree program, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program and graduate certificates, and the College of Health Professions, which offers Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work degree programs. Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation. To learn more, visit chamberlain.edu.
About Adtalem Global Education
Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a leading workforce solutions provider, partners with organizations in the healthcare and financial services industries to solve critical workforce talent needs by expanding access to education, certifications and upskilling programs at scale. With a dedicated focus on driving strong outcomes that increase workforce preparedness, Adtalem empowers a diverse learner population to achieve their goals and make inspiring contributions to the global community. Adtalem is the parent organization of ACAMS, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, OnCourse Learning, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Walden University. Adtalem has more than 10,000 employees, a network of more than 275,000 alumni and serves over 82,000 members across 200 countries and territories. Adtalem was named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2021 by Newsweek and one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2021 by Forbes. Follow Adtalem on Twitter (@adtalemglobal), LinkedIn or visit adtalem.com for more information.
About The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from Nurses while he was ill inspired the creation of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. In over 4,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing, The DAISY Award is an evidenced-based means of providing Nurse recognition and thanking Nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of those they touch through their care, no matter the setting. More information is available at daisyfoundation.org.