2017 The Vice President and Executive Dean’s Team Prize for all round contributions to the success of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Evidence of teams’ ability to function under challenging circumstances; maintain a customer focus and adhere to the Flinders values of integrity, courage, innovation and excellence. Dr Button Project lead.

2016 Start up grant Measuring the impact of a 3D simulation experience on the diverse nursing/midwifery students’ cultural empathy and change of practice $5000.

2012 HESTA finalist in Education Innovation in Nursing

2011 Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation $10,000 D Button (Team leader), K Wotton, M Kelton G Mathews.Category;
Citation: For significant contribution by team members in developing an online self-directed Clinical Communication Program assisting nursing students' development and application of professional language.

2009 HESTA finalist in Education Innovation in Nursing.

2008 $10,000 Executive Dean's Teaching and learning Grant 'Nursing paramedics and medical staff working as a team: Development of interdisciplinary clinical decision making and communication using high fidelity simulation'. K.Wotton, D Button, J Davis, M Kelton, M Neill, T Pointon, P Clarke, J Thompson.

2008 $8,000 Culturally Diverse and Inclusive Practice (CDIP) grant: 'How to make a Cultural quilt Utilising the CDIP toolkit to educate Casual Part-time Teachers and academic staff members about culturally inclusive practices focus on students undertaking clinical placement.' M Kelton, D Button.

2007 $2,000 Culturally Diverse and Inclusive Practice (CDIP) grant: 'It's Shocking understanding culture shock for general staff and part-time clinical teachers. M Kelton, D Button.

2006 $10,000 University Teaching and learning Innovation grant: 'Developing a online Clinical Communication program for ESL students that will be accessed via the internet in the clinical placement. D Button, K Wotton, M Kelton G Mathews.

1998 $3,000 Vice Chancellors award for Excellence in Teaching