Alanna Bergman Receives DAISY Faculty Award

Alanna J. Bergman, assistant professor of nursing, has been named the UVA School of Nursing’s 2026 recipient of the DAISY Faculty Award, an honor that recognizes nursing faculty for their compassion, commitment to teaching, and inspirational influence on students and the community.

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was established in 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes to honor the compassionate care he received from nurses during his illness. While the DAISY Award has long recognized bedside nurses, the faculty award—introduced nationally more than a decade ago—highlights educators who embody the heart of nursing through teaching, leadership, and mentorship.

Bergman was nominated by a student who described her as a faculty member whose compassion shapes how students understand both nursing practice and nursing science.

“From the moment I met Alanna Bergman, she has shaped the way I understand what it means to be a nurse and a scientist,” the student wrote. “She consistently makes space for students to grow, and she leads with patience, curiosity, and genuine care.”

The nomination highlighted Bergman’s commitment to mentorship, her encouragement of student inquiry, and her ability to foster a learning environment grounded in respect, collaboration, and purpose. The student noted that Bergman’s guidance has helped them see nursing as a powerful way to engage communities through research and advocacy.

The DAISY Faculty Award reflects the UVA School of Nursing’s commitment to recognizing faculty who inspire students to embrace compassion as a practice that defines the profession of nursing.