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"I was able to navigate some waters that were choppy and very scary. Things fell into place because of her caring personality and helpful character." 

Patients and visitors are hailing UVA Health University Medical Center's Anna Rath, BSN, RN, as being "full of joy, kindness ... like a real live angel!"

Associate Chief Nursing Officer Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, and Nursing Professional Governance Office Nursing Governance Coordinator Jenny Ernest surprised the 4 North nurse with a DAISY Award:

Patient 1 Nomination

"I have Anna for my nurse today. She is the kindest, sweetest, most attentive nurse I have ever had! She was smiling at 7 a.m. and never stopped smiling the entire day! Within a few hours, I thought she's the hardest working, most caring person I'd ever known. Not just the best nurse, she goes over and beyond her job duties, and if she says to give her 10 minutes and she'll be back, she's back in eight!

"Anna never 'forgets' anything I need or ask for. She makes me want to be nicer and kinder that day, knowing that maybe I hadn't been the 'nicest' because of my health problems. You just don't meet a lot of people these days who radiate goodness the way she does. She's and awesome lady! Anyone who would have the chance to befriend her or know her is a lucky person.

"Anna is full of joy, kindness ... like a real live angel. There's something about her that makes her a very special and unique individual. She deserves a whole field of Daisies!! But one DAISY Award to recognize her as the greatest nurse I know will be enough for now. UVA Health is a great hospital with nice, caring nurses — and Anna is the greatest!"

Patient 2 Nomination

"I came to UVA Health under very difficult circumstances. I was sick, scared, and ashamed of my situation which involved relapsing from alcoholism and addiction.

"From the very start, Anna was compassionate and full of empathy. She tried to make me feel safe and that there was no judgement. She listened and did not rush me while I talked to her about why I was there. She asked me if I wanted the chaplain to come by — which I did — and the next day, the chaplain named came by to talk and pray with me and she was wonderful!

"Anna checked on me a lot and whenever I wanted to express my feelings she listened and showed me kindness — I could just see the love in her eyes. Her willingness to show nothing but respect to me meant a lot to me. She was genuinely and sincerely interested in how I felt and what I was dealing with.

"Anna also asked me if she could get the social worker for me and I said yes. The social worker helped me immensely!

"Because Anna was so willing to introduce me to others, I was able to navigate some waters that were choppy and very scary. Things fell into place because of her caring personality and helpful character. Thank you, Anna!"

Vistor Nomination

"The patient I was sitting with was upset and crying over bad news. Nurse Anna talked to the patient kindly and was able to calm the patient down. She went above and beyond to take care of the patient and kept checking on her. Nurse Anna also was very kind and well-spoken to myself and my partner sitting with the patient. She checked on us to make sure we were taken care of just as much as she did the patient.

"She was very polite, kind, respectful, and soft spoken. She always had a smile on her face when she came into the room and made us all feel respected. She let us know that if we needed anything — no matter if we thought it was a bother to her — that she would take care of it.

"Every time Nurse Anna came into the room, the patient's face would light up and wasn't so sad. She treated us all as if we were family. Nurse Anna would step into the room to check on everyone — even though she didn't have to!"

Know a Fabulous Nurse?

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors up to two UVA Health University Medical Center nurses each month with a DAISY Award.

"DAISY" stands for "Diseases Attacking the Immune System." The DAISY Award was established by The DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of only 33 of an autoimmune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of his nurses — so they created this national award to thank nurses everywhere.

At UVA Health University Medical Center — patients or their families, visitors, and team members may submit a DAISY Award nomination.