Kevin Schmader

From staff reports

STATE COLLEGE — Mount Nittany Health has recognized registered nurse Kevin Schmader with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an international honor recognizing exceptional patient care, compassion and clinical excellence.

Schmader was nominated by two patient families who shared stories about the care and support he provided during their hospital experiences.

One family praised Schmader for helping them understand medical decisions and taking time to get to know them personally during a hospital stay.

“Kevin ensured that my husband and I understood care decisions that were being made by the hospitalist,” the nominator wrote. “Further, he took time to get to know my husband and I as individuals. We were more than a patient and his wife in a hospital room.”

The family noted that after the patient was transferred to another room and assigned a new nursing team, Schmader continued to check in and assist with the discharge process.

A second nomination highlighted the connection Schmader formed with a veteran patient and his family.

According to the nomination, Schmader thanked the veteran for his military service and engaged him in conversation, prompting him to share stories with family members that they had never heard before.

Schmader joined Mount Nittany Health in 2025. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Clarion University, a nursing diploma from Mercy Hospital and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Penn State University. Before joining Mount Nittany Health, he worked as an agency nurse.

“The part I enjoy about this job most is the interaction with the patients and their families,” Schmader said in a statement. “By conversing with them, I get to understand what led to their admission and make their stay here as comfortable as possible.”

Originally from Brockport, Schmader enjoys spending time outdoors and fishing in local streams.

The DAISY Award was established in 1999 by the family of Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of an autoimmune disease. The program recognizes nurses who provide outstanding patient care and is now used by thousands of healthcare organizations and nursing schools worldwide.

Mount Nittany Health accepts DAISY Award nominations from patients, family members, visitors, volunteers and staff.