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"She chose to care." 

When nurse Jo Beth Broughman became a patient at UVA Health, she received exceptional care — from a nurse who wasn't even assigned to take care of her. Now, that UVA Health nurse, Mousumi “Mo” Franks, RN, MSN, RN, CNL, has earned the DAISY Award for going above and beyond!

UVA Health University Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, and DAISY Award Committee Chair Caitlin Lowman, BSN, RN, CCRN, surprised Mousumi with the honor.

Hails Broughman: "I would like to nominate Mo for the DAISY Award for the profound impact she had on my recovery during my recent hospital stay — despite the fact that I was not even her assigned patient!

"Mo was my roommate’s nurse — yet Mo took the time to check on me, encourage me, and support me in ways that went far beyond her responsibilities. Following my surgery, she pushed me in the best possible way! Mo encouraged movement, independence, and healing with confidence, warmth, and genuine care.

"She offered practical, sometimes unconventional, but incredibly effective recovery advice — recommending I chew gum, drink plenty of water, and most importantly: walk, walk, walk. Those simple but intentional interventions made a significant difference in my recovery.

"What stood out most: she chose to care. Mo checked on me even when she didn’t have to. I wasn’t her patient, yet she treated me like I was. She took the time to talk with my partner and me on a personal level, and those conversations — about our families and life outside the hospital — brought comfort and normalcy during a very vulnerable time. That human connection meant everything!

"As a nurse myself, I recognized immediately that Mo is a seasoned nurse. Her experience, intuition, confidence, and compassion were evident in every interaction. She had a presence that made you feel safe, motivated, and genuinely cared for. You could feel her passion for nursing and her commitment to her patients — even the ones not officially assigned to her.

"I truly feel blessed to have crossed paths with Mo during my hospital stay. Her encouragement, wisdom, and kindness played a meaningful role in my recovery, and I will never forget the difference she made simply by showing up and caring.

"Mousumi 'Mo' Franks exemplifies the very heart of nursing and embodies everything the DAISY Award represents. She is deeply deserving of this recognition!"

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"DAISY" stands for "Diseases Attacking the Immune System." The DAISY Award was established by The DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of only 33 of an autoimmune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of his nurses — so they created this national award to thank nurses everywhere.

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors up to two UVA Health University Medical Center nurses each month with a DAISY Award. At UVA Health University Medical Center — patients or their families, visitors, and team members may submit a DAISY Award nomination.