August 2026 Honoree
Colleen Granato, RN
When your 7.5-year-old is going in for surgery, this mama's heart was nervous, scared, a mess, but Colleen connected with him and helped this mama's heart calm down. I was crying and she took the time to talk to my son and I to keep us both calm and talked about strength. She shared stories of being a mom and her kids to connect and help us both! True heart of gold that was much appreciated! My son said, " Definitely, Colleen, Mommy!"
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Presented nominations by our Executive Director of Nursing:
It is my honor to recognize an extraordinary nurse whose compassion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to others embody everything the DAISY Award represents. This recognition is especially meaningful to me because Colleen is also my sister-in-law. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing not only the exceptional nurse she is, but also the way she inspires those around her to become better nurses themselves.
As the PACU Advanced Charge Nurse, Colleen has dedicated years to caring for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Every day, she goes above and beyond to ensure that her patients receive exceptional care, their families feel supported, and her team has everything needed to provide the safest, highest-quality care possible.
Judy shared, “Colleen goes above and beyond every day. She cares for patients with expertise and extraordinary compassion. She takes the initiative to improve processes to ensure the safest care for patients and the best possible working environment for staff. Colleen is tireless in her pursuit of improvement. The level of accountability she assumes for her patients, her staff, and her department is admirable.”
Colleen’s coworkers describe her as “an exceptional nurse, mentor, and leader.” They shared that it is difficult to identify just one example of her extraordinary contributions because Colleen gives 100 percent to everything she does. She routinely changes her days off, comes in when the department needs help, and stays late to support her team. She is someone they trust completely because they know they will always be heard, supported, and encouraged.
Colleen is also one of her coworkers’ greatest cheerleaders. She recognizes their contributions, celebrates their successes, and encourages them through difficult days. Even in challenging situations, she maintains a positive outlook and helps others see what is possible. Her optimism is genuine and contagious, creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best.
That spirit was especially evident during the apocalyptic snowstorm we experienced this past winter. Knowing how difficult—and potentially impossible—it might be to travel safely, Colleen stayed on-site to ensure she would be there to care for patients and support her team. But she did more than simply stay. She found ways to make the experience fun for her colleagues, bringing positivity and connection to an otherwise stressful situation and creating a memory they will cherish.
Colleen has a special gift for turning difficult or ordinary moments into meaningful memories. Her advocacy for patients is equally thoughtful. One of the initiatives she championed was obtaining a child car that pediatric patients can “drive” on their way to a procedure. What could otherwise be a frightening journey becomes an opportunity for fun, comfort, and a sense of control. This simple but meaningful idea reflects Colleen’s ability to see care through the eyes of her patients and find creative ways to make their experiences less intimidating.
The mother of a seven-and-a-half-year-old boy wrote, “Like so many parents, we arrived frightened and overwhelmed. This mama’s heart was nervous, scared, and a complete mess. But Colleen immediately connected with my son, and helped calm us both. I was crying, and she took the time to talk with him and me, helping us feel safe and at ease. She spoke about strength, and to help us connect, she shared stories about her own children and what being a mom means to her. Colleen truly has a heart of gold, and I can’t express how much we appreciated her kindness.”
Colleen does not simply prepare and care for patients after surgery—she eases their fears. She does not simply care for families—she walks alongside them during some of their most difficult moments. She does not simply lead a department—she lifts up everyone around her.
Colleen reminds us that extraordinary nursing is about far more than clinical skill. It is about compassion, presence, humility, advocacy, and the ability to make another person feel safe, heard, and cared for when they need it most. And even more, it is about finding opportunities for joy, even in difficult circumstances, and creating moments that people will remember long after they leave her care.
I am incredibly proud to call Colleen both my sister-in-law and a fellow nurse, and it is my privilege to recognize the extraordinary difference she makes every day.
Congratulations, Colleen!
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Presented nominations by our Executive Director of Nursing:
It is my honor to recognize an extraordinary nurse whose compassion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to others embody everything the DAISY Award represents. This recognition is especially meaningful to me because Colleen is also my sister-in-law. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing not only the exceptional nurse she is, but also the way she inspires those around her to become better nurses themselves.
As the PACU Advanced Charge Nurse, Colleen has dedicated years to caring for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Every day, she goes above and beyond to ensure that her patients receive exceptional care, their families feel supported, and her team has everything needed to provide the safest, highest-quality care possible.
Judy shared, “Colleen goes above and beyond every day. She cares for patients with expertise and extraordinary compassion. She takes the initiative to improve processes to ensure the safest care for patients and the best possible working environment for staff. Colleen is tireless in her pursuit of improvement. The level of accountability she assumes for her patients, her staff, and her department is admirable.”
Colleen’s coworkers describe her as “an exceptional nurse, mentor, and leader.” They shared that it is difficult to identify just one example of her extraordinary contributions because Colleen gives 100 percent to everything she does. She routinely changes her days off, comes in when the department needs help, and stays late to support her team. She is someone they trust completely because they know they will always be heard, supported, and encouraged.
Colleen is also one of her coworkers’ greatest cheerleaders. She recognizes their contributions, celebrates their successes, and encourages them through difficult days. Even in challenging situations, she maintains a positive outlook and helps others see what is possible. Her optimism is genuine and contagious, creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best.
That spirit was especially evident during the apocalyptic snowstorm we experienced this past winter. Knowing how difficult—and potentially impossible—it might be to travel safely, Colleen stayed on-site to ensure she would be there to care for patients and support her team. But she did more than simply stay. She found ways to make the experience fun for her colleagues, bringing positivity and connection to an otherwise stressful situation and creating a memory they will cherish.
Colleen has a special gift for turning difficult or ordinary moments into meaningful memories. Her advocacy for patients is equally thoughtful. One of the initiatives she championed was obtaining a child car that pediatric patients can “drive” on their way to a procedure. What could otherwise be a frightening journey becomes an opportunity for fun, comfort, and a sense of control. This simple but meaningful idea reflects Colleen’s ability to see care through the eyes of her patients and find creative ways to make their experiences less intimidating.
The mother of a seven-and-a-half-year-old boy wrote, “Like so many parents, we arrived frightened and overwhelmed. This mama’s heart was nervous, scared, and a complete mess. But Colleen immediately connected with my son, and helped calm us both. I was crying, and she took the time to talk with him and me, helping us feel safe and at ease. She spoke about strength, and to help us connect, she shared stories about her own children and what being a mom means to her. Colleen truly has a heart of gold, and I can’t express how much we appreciated her kindness.”
Colleen does not simply prepare and care for patients after surgery—she eases their fears. She does not simply care for families—she walks alongside them during some of their most difficult moments. She does not simply lead a department—she lifts up everyone around her.
Colleen reminds us that extraordinary nursing is about far more than clinical skill. It is about compassion, presence, humility, advocacy, and the ability to make another person feel safe, heard, and cared for when they need it most. And even more, it is about finding opportunities for joy, even in difficult circumstances, and creating moments that people will remember long after they leave her care.
I am incredibly proud to call Colleen both my sister-in-law and a fellow nurse, and it is my privilege to recognize the extraordinary difference she makes every day.
Congratulations, Colleen!
Thank you, Colleen, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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