San Luis Valley Health Honors Savannah Peerman, BSN, RN, with DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Care

San Luis Valley Health is proud to recognize Savannah Peerman, BSN, RN, of the Medical Surgical Unit as a recipient of The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses, a national recognition that celebrates nurses whose compassion, clinical expertise, and dedication leave a lasting impact on patients and their families.

Savannah Peerman, BSN, RN, receiving the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Savannah was nominated by the family member of a patient who experienced firsthand the difference a caring nurse can make during a difficult hospital stay. The nomination describes a nurse who consistently went above and beyond to provide comfort, reassurance, and exceptional care when it was needed most.

According to the nominator, having a loved one in the hospital can be a frightening and emotional experience, but Savannah helped make an overwhelming situation more manageable from the very beginning. She treated the patient with kindness, patience, and dignity, always ensuring she felt comfortable, respected, and supported.

The family shared that what made Savannah stand out was her ability to make every interaction personal. No matter how busy the unit was, she never made them feel like they were just another patient room. Instead, she took time to explain treatments, answer questions, and keep the family informed, easing anxiety and helping everyone feel more confident about the care being provided.

Throughout the patient's stay, Savannah remained attentive to both physical and emotional needs. She frequently checked in, carefully monitored pain levels, and made sure the patient was as comfortable as possible. Beyond her clinical skills, she found small ways to brighten difficult days, taking a few extra moments to talk, listen, and bring a smile to the patient's face when she was feeling overwhelmed.

One evening, the patient was experiencing an especially difficult time both physically and emotionally. Rather than simply completing her nursing tasks and moving on, Savannah sat with her, listened to her concerns, offered reassurance, and made sure she felt safe and heard. For the family, that act of genuine compassion became one of the most memorable moments of the hospital stay.

“Savannah truly cared for my mom as a person, not just a patient,” the nominator wrote. “Our family will never forget the comfort and support she gave us during such a stressful time.”

Savannah's DAISY Award celebration was marked with many of the traditions that make the recognition so meaningful. Family, friends, coworkers, and leaders gathered to surprise her with a ceremony that included a certificate, a hand-carved Healer's Touch sculpture, flowers, balloons, and cinnamon rolls. Cinnamon rolls are served at DAISY Award celebrations in honor of J. Patrick Barnes, whose family brought nurses fresh cinnamon rolls during his hospitalization as a gesture of gratitude. The tradition continues today as a sweet reminder of the difference nurses make in the lives of patients and families.

The DAISY Award recognizes nurses who exemplify clinical excellence while delivering extraordinary compassion. Savannah's dedication to caring for patients as individuals, supporting families through challenging circumstances, and providing comfort beyond medical treatment reflects the very spirit of the award and the values of San Luis Valley Health.

San Luis Valley Health launched The DAISY Award program in Fall 2022. Created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, The DAISY Award honors nurses whose exceptional care and kindness make a profound difference in the lives of others.

Patients, families, and colleagues are encouraged to recognize outstanding nurses who provide extraordinary care by submitting a DAISY Award nomination.