March 2026 Honoree
Anna Grace Putnam, RN
Anna Grace is truly the definition of what a DAISY Award should reflect.
From the moment we met her, she took not just our mom but our whole family under her wing. My mom was in critical condition, and the attention and focus Anna Grace gave her from the moment she entered the room was astounding. The care she provided exceeded every expectation I ever had for someone caring for my family member.
As a nurse myself, you sometimes catch yourself thinking, "I would have done this differently," or, "I would have done that better." But not with Anna Grace.
Anna Grace rallied with us. When nobody else would rally with us, she was there. She had faith and pushed with us until the very end. She advocated not only for her patient but for our entire family.
Every time she stepped into the room to care for my mom, she was so informative, talking us through each and every thing she was doing. She went above and beyond, crawling under vents, IV lines, and dialysis machines simply to tape a photo of all six of my mother's grandchildren above her bed so they could be with her. No questions asked.
When my mom was nearing the end of her life, Anna Grace placed heat packs in her hands because she remembered us telling her how much she hated being cold. Those little things make the biggest impact on a family.
Her compassion wasn't reserved just for us. We shared a room with another family, and we could hear the way she spoke to her other patients as she cared for them. As busy as she was caring for my mother—who was intubated, receiving maximum doses of multiple vasopressors, and on CRRT—she still made time to provide her other patient with the same level of compassionate care.
When my mother passed away, Anna Grace allowed me to help with her post-mortem bath. As a nurse, I assumed that would be extremely uncomfortable for her, but she embraced it and welcomed it. Anna Grace allowed me to be part of every minute of my mother's journey on the unit.
If I were an administrator or manager, I would be beyond proud to have this nurse represent UMMC.
For some, nursing is a job. For others, it is a calling. Anna Grace received that calling and ran with it.
My family and I thank the Lord for her. She is a true representation of a kind, compassionate, hardworking, strong, and dedicated nurse. I pray that she never forgets her calling and never loses sight of the incredible impact she has on families every single day.
From the moment we met her, she took not just our mom but our whole family under her wing. My mom was in critical condition, and the attention and focus Anna Grace gave her from the moment she entered the room was astounding. The care she provided exceeded every expectation I ever had for someone caring for my family member.
As a nurse myself, you sometimes catch yourself thinking, "I would have done this differently," or, "I would have done that better." But not with Anna Grace.
Anna Grace rallied with us. When nobody else would rally with us, she was there. She had faith and pushed with us until the very end. She advocated not only for her patient but for our entire family.
Every time she stepped into the room to care for my mom, she was so informative, talking us through each and every thing she was doing. She went above and beyond, crawling under vents, IV lines, and dialysis machines simply to tape a photo of all six of my mother's grandchildren above her bed so they could be with her. No questions asked.
When my mom was nearing the end of her life, Anna Grace placed heat packs in her hands because she remembered us telling her how much she hated being cold. Those little things make the biggest impact on a family.
Her compassion wasn't reserved just for us. We shared a room with another family, and we could hear the way she spoke to her other patients as she cared for them. As busy as she was caring for my mother—who was intubated, receiving maximum doses of multiple vasopressors, and on CRRT—she still made time to provide her other patient with the same level of compassionate care.
When my mother passed away, Anna Grace allowed me to help with her post-mortem bath. As a nurse, I assumed that would be extremely uncomfortable for her, but she embraced it and welcomed it. Anna Grace allowed me to be part of every minute of my mother's journey on the unit.
If I were an administrator or manager, I would be beyond proud to have this nurse represent UMMC.
For some, nursing is a job. For others, it is a calling. Anna Grace received that calling and ran with it.
My family and I thank the Lord for her. She is a true representation of a kind, compassionate, hardworking, strong, and dedicated nurse. I pray that she never forgets her calling and never loses sight of the incredible impact she has on families every single day.
Thank you, Anna Grace, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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