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Anna Failes, BSN, RN, "provided us peace when we felt like everything was out of control." 

Twice is nice, and a UVA Health Children's nurse has gone above and beyond even that — to have a "lasting impact" on a special pair of patients and their family. UVA Health University Medical Center Associate Chief Nursing Officer Karin Skeen, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, and Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office, surprised Anna Failes, BSN, RN, Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), with a DAISY Award for her "extraordinary" efforts.

The patients' mother, Vannessa Clarkson, nominated Failes:

"When our twin babies were admitted to the NICU — we were filled with worry, uncertainty, and doubt. We asked hundreds of questions, spent hours sitting at their bedsides, and left brokenhearted each evening knowing they wouldn’t be coming home with us.

"However, we knew our twins were in the best hands with a very special nurse. The first time Anna was assigned to care for our newborns, I knew very quickly I wanted to ask her to be one of our primary nurses. She was patient, understanding, thoughtful. and brilliant. She was everything we could have asked for and more in an advocate and caregiver for our babies!

"Anna was a calming presence during those long, difficult days. She provided us peace when we felt like everything was out of control. Her gentle demeanor and reassuring words brought a calmness to our hearts when everything felt overwhelming. We knew our babies were receiving exceptional care when we they were with Anna. She didn’t just care for our babies — she cared for us as a family.

"Anna went above and beyond to make our NICU experience special. She listened to me recount my birth story dozens of times, helped me advocate for our children and their needs, and showed true dedication to her work every single day.

"Anna created beautiful milestone cards for our babies, marking moments like their first bath and their first time wearing clothes. She celebrated me on Mother’s Day and lifted my spirits when I wanted more than anything to be celebrating at home with my newborns. Those cards weren’t just keepsakes — they were symbols of hope during a time when progress felt slow and uncertain. I keep them on my desk now as a reminder of the love and dedication she showed us, and how far our babies have come. These cards are treasures that will always hold a special place in our hearts!

"What made Anna extraordinary was her ability to anticipate all our needs ahead of time. She would seamlessly juggle caring for multiple patients, consoling and educating families, and providing an unmatched level of tenderness and care for the most fragile humans. She would peek into their isolettes and make quiet comments under her breath about how they once again wiggled out of their swaddles.

"She would gently pass them to me so I could hold them skin-to-skin, knowing how much those small moments mattered. If I showed up in the middle of a feed, she’d promptly encourage me to take her seat and finish feeding our babies. She spoke softly to them during care times, reassuring them as if they could understand every word. When alarms sounded and our hearts raced, Anna calmly explained what was happening, turning panic into understanding and providing us with clarity and confidence.

"She also cared for us as parents in ways that went far beyond her clinical duties. We bonded over the shared chaos of having a toddler at home, and those conversations reminded me that I was never alone. She also supported me on my breastfeeding journey and encouraged me when it felt like our newborns would never figure it out. I know I wouldn’t have made it this far without her motivation in those early days. When exhaustion and helplessness threatened to take over, Anna found ways to make us smile — whether through a kind word, a funny story, asking if I needed my pump parts washed, or simply acknowledging how hard this was and that we were doing our best.

"Anna embodies everything the DAISY Award represents: compassion, excellence, and thoughtfulness for her patients and their families. We are so grateful for the care and the comfort she brought to our family during such a vulnerable time. She truly made a lasting impact on our lives, and we believe she deserves to be recognized for her extraordinary kindness and dedication."

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