Reid Health nurse leader receives Eastern District DAISY Leadership Award

The Indiana Organization for Nursing Leadership (IONL) has named Reid Health Senior Director of Nursing Anna Osborn-Brown one of eight DAISY Award district winners.

Osborn-Brown received the Eastern District DAISY Leadership Award during the IONL Spring Conference on April 24 in Plainfield, Indiana. The award honors individuals who exemplify compassion, leadership, and a commitment to advancing patient care.

Osborn-Brown said she felt deeply humbled to be selected.

“Nursing leadership can be challenging work, and there are so many leaders quietly doing extraordinary things every day for their teams and patients,” she said. “To be recognized among them was incredibly meaningful.”

She said being surrounded by nurse leaders from across Indiana made the recognition especially memorable.

“This recognition is meaningful because it represents the impact leadership can have on people, not just operations,” Osborn-Brown said.

“Healthcare is incredibly complex right now, and creating environments where nurses feel valued, supported, and empowered truly matters.”

A Richmond native, Osborn-Brown joined Reid at age 16 in 1999 as a tray passer and dishwasher in Food and Nutrition Services.

“I often joke I grew up here, because in many ways I did,” she said. “Reid Health has been the place where I’ve learned, grown, and been shaped both personally and professionally.”

After briefly leaving to earn her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certification in 2006, she returned to Reid to begin her clinical career as a nurse on the inpatient oncology unit. She later advanced through leadership roles in emergency services, critical care, oncology, hospice, medical-surgical services, and nursing development.

Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer at Reid, said Osborn-Brown’s leadership has made an impact.

“Anna leads with compassion, accountability, and a commitment to patients and caregivers,” Foust-Cofield said.

“She has helped build strong, resilient teams while continually elevating nursing practice and patient care throughout our organization. This recognition reflects the positive influence Anna has on those around her every day.”

The DAISY Nurse Leader Award recognizes leaders who create environments where compassionate, skillful care can thrive and nurses are empowered to deliver exceptional patient care.

Osborn-Brown said strong leadership begins with presence, consistency, and creating an environment where team members feel supported and empowered.

“People need leaders who are visible, approachable, honest, and willing to walk through difficult moments alongside them,” she said.

Creating that kind of culture means team members feel safe speaking up, supported in their growth, and connected to a larger purpose behind their work.

“I believe accountability and compassion should coexist,” she said. “High standards and human connection aren’t opposites — the best healthcare environments require both.”

Osborn-Brown said nurse leaders play a key role in shaping team culture and patient experience. The way teams communicate, collaborate, recover from challenges, and care for one another directly affects patient experience and patient safety.

“I’m passionate about removing barriers that create frustration or risk and building systems that allow nurses to focus more on human care and clinical excellence,” she said.

“At the center of all of it is people. That’s always been the part that matters most to me.”

The honor reflects those she has worked alongside throughout her career.

“No recognition like this happens because of one person alone,” Osborn-Brown said. “Nursing is deeply team-centered work, and I’ve been fortunate to learn from extraordinary colleagues, mentors, and frontline caregivers over the years. This award is something I share with all of them.” 

Founded in 1974, IONL provides leadership, professional development, advocacy, and research to advance nursing practice and patient care. According to the organization, IONL is a Region 5 affiliate of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and serves nurse leaders across eight districts in Indiana. More information about IONL is available at Indiana Organization for Nursing Leadership.

The DAISY Award and the DAISY Leader Award are part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide to patients and families every day. To learn more about the DAISY Award recognition program at Reid Health or submit a nomination, visit https://www.reidhealth.org/daisy-award.