Purvance received three nominations from a mix of patients and family members, one who shared, “Savannah was my brother's RN the first day that we visited after he sustained injuries while skiing. Savannah provided excellent care, kept him comfortable, provided exactly the right information to help him make his own decisions about care and medicine, and was extremely efficient as well.”

Purvance began her nursing career at Barton Health through its New Graduate Nurse Residency Program—an immersive, year-long initiative that helps recent graduates transition into professional practice. The program pairs new nurses with experienced preceptors to build clinical decision-making and communication skills through hands-on experience, preparing them to deliver high-quality, safe care.

A South Lake Tahoe native, Purvance was born at Barton and studied nursing at Western Nevada College in Carson City. Her passion for helping others and connecting with people led her to pursue a career in nursing. She says the best part of her job is working with her team: “My coworkers make even the hardest days so much easier.” Outside of work, Purvance enjoys wake surfing on Lake Tahoe and riding horses.