Lauren Barone Honored With DAISY Leader Award for Extraordinary Nurses

Navigating change 'with flying colors' and gratitude for her team

Nursing leaders Danielle Weber, DNP, MSM, RN (left), and Cynthia Griffin, MS, BSN, RN (right), congratulate Lauren Barone, MSN, RN.

March 31, 2025

Lauren Barone, MSN, RN, OCN, NPD-BC, LNCC, senior research manager for cancer research at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, has been recognized with the DAISY Leader Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

“Cancer research is a dynamic field,” Barone said. “I am lucky to have caregivers on my team who have been able to adapt and who are willing to stay one step ahead to navigate changes.”

“Receiving the DAISY Award was very humbling,” said Barone. “I am proud to lead this department, but as a leader I understand the work is a team effort. Cancer research is a dynamic field and is constantly changing and evolving because of the complexity of cancer itself.

“I am lucky to have caregivers on my team who have been able to adapt and who are willing to stay one step ahead to navigate the changes.”

ChristianaCare ranks among the nation’s leading cancer research programs, bringing breakthrough treatments directly to patients through innovative clinical trials. In 2023, nearly 30% of patients at the Graham Cancer Center participated in approximately 110 clinical trials. More than 300 enrollments were through the Delaware/ChristianaCare National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). This participation rate is more seven times the national average of 4%.

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Barone began her ChristianaCare career in 2006 as a registered nurse and has since held positions as a cancer research nurse, a nursing professional development specialist, and her current role as nursing research manager.

ChristianaCare is a national leader in cancer clinical trials. Here, Barone and Gregory Masters, M.D., congratulate Martha Sampson, RN, who received the Michael J. Guarino, M.D., Award, which honors caregivers who are strong patient advocates, bold, innovative, assertive and hold a genuine passion for cancer research.

When the opportunity arrived to return to oncology research in this role, Barone rose to the occasion, said Deborah Moore, BSN, RN, CCRC, a research director and Barone’s supervisor.

“Going from being a peer to managing your peers is a challenging transition, which Lauren has navigated with flying colors,” Moore shared. “Her fair and consistent approach, her ability to listen to concerns, and the fact that she has walked in the shoes of those she now manages has earned her the respect of her peers.”

Barone’s nominator, Sarah Travers, RN, echoed this sentiment.

“Following Lauren’s lead has made a great difference in my career as a nurse,” Travers said, “and it is very clear to me that she makes a difference to many people in our department. Lauren is the most consistent leader I have worked under in any of my nursing positions, and I see her live up to all ChristianaCare’s values and behaviors daily.”

Barone earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Delaware and her master’s degree in nursing leadership from Wilmington University.

Nominate a ChristianaCare nurse for a DAISY Award.

The Professional Nurse Council at ChristianaCare selects DAISY Award recipients using an anonymous process based on nominations from patients, families and all members of the ChristianaCare team. All nurses—inpatient, outpatient and ChristianaCare HomeHealth—are eligible.