Aimee McKenzie, BSN, RN

Aimee McKenzie exemplifies the DAISY Nurse Educator Award through a steadfast commitment to compassionate teaching, clear communication, and the development of others.

Since joining the Education Department in 2021, she has advanced rapidly into leadership roles—evidence of both her capability and the confidence others place in her. In every setting, Aimee creates psychologically safe learning environments, champions evidence-based practice, and builds partnerships that strengthen education across the organization and the community.

1. Empathy and compassion — Demonstrates empathy and compassion that foster deep connections and create a safe, supportive learning environment.

Aimee began her nursing career in 2014 as a Med-Surg nurse and joined the Education Department as a Clinical Nurse Educator in June 2021. During the pandemic, she stepped forward to train and support staff—discovering a lasting passion for teaching and professional development. In a short time, she advanced from Clinical Educator to Manager and then Director, reflecting both her leadership and the trust others place in her.

In every role, Aimee leads with empathy and compassion, creating a learning environment where staff and students feel respected, supported, and confident to grow.

2. Effective communication — Demonstrates effective communication, including active listening and the ability to present information clearly and concisely.

Aimee communicates with clarity and approachability. She actively listens to questions and concerns, adapts her message to the audience, and confirms understanding through discussion and follow-up. She consistently connects education to what matters most—patient safety, nursing best practice, and evidence-based care.

Under her leadership, the Education Department delivers consistent, evidence-informed messaging aligned with professional standards.

3. Role model and mentor — Serves as a role model and mentor by leading by example and nurturing leadership that supports ongoing professional development.

Aimee is a role model and mentor who leads with integrity, professionalism, and a consistent focus on patient-centered care. Her work advancing Student Nurse Programs has strengthened the nursing pipeline and supports the next generation of caregivers. This program’s success is directly tied to Aimee’s leadership and commitment.

Aimee promotes continued professional development by creating learning opportunities across Avita and through external partnerships. As Director of Education and the AHA Training Center, she has expanded access to American Heart Association certification courses for both internal departments and community partners.

4. Adaptability and flexibility — Is adaptable and flexible—embraces change and modifies teaching methods to meet a diverse range of needs.

Aimee demonstrates adaptability through her work with high school students in the Future Nurses of Avita Program. She quickly recognized the need to adjust both teaching strategies and communication style to meet learners where they are. After the first year, she revised the program based on feedback and lessons learned—strengthening the experience for future cohorts.

She also brings creativity to hands-on skills training, making learning engaging, practical, and memorable while maintaining high expectations for safety and competency.

5. Lifelong learning — Models a love of learning and is committed to lifelong learning and professional development.

Aimee models a love of learning by continually seeking new knowledge and translating it into meaningful education for others. She stays current on best practices and uses evidence-based content to guide department education, ensuring staff have the skills and information needed to provide safe, high-quality care.

Her professional growth—from bedside nurse to clinical educator and quickly into leadership—reflects her commitment to lifelong learning. Over the past year, Aimee also became a DISC profile trainer and has led multiple DISC sessions for Avita leaders and departments, receiving consistently strong feedback from participants.

6. Learning outcomes and feedback — Establishes clear learning outcomes and provides constructive feedback.

Aimee establishes clear expectations and outcomes—particularly within the Student Nurse Program—and provides timely, constructive feedback to support success. She holds crucial conversations with professionalism and compassion, ensuring learners understand both performance standards and the support available to meet them.

As the program matured, she has also set appropriate communication boundaries, reinforcing accountability while maintaining a caring, learner-centered approach.

7. Collaboration — Builds collaborative working relationships.

Aimee excels at building collaborative relationships—within her team, across the organization, and through community outreach. She actively seeks partnerships that expand the reach of the Education Department and AHA Training Center, and she welcomes new ideas with a consistent “can-do” mindset. She empowers her team to lead initiatives while keeping Avita’s mission and patient care at the center of the work.

Comments from Aimee’s Education Department team:

The following comments reflect the impact of Aimee’s leadership and teaching on her team:

“While Aimee’s leadership is visible in our major projects at Avita, her truest impact lies in the quiet moments experienced by us—her team. When people ask me to describe my job, I start with the sense of community and support we have here; I point to her unyielding faith in us. She leads by trusting us to manage and deliver independently, effectively building a team of leaders rather than just a team of staff. Every ‘win’ in our department is a direct result of her belief that we are capable. We simply wouldn’t be us without her.”

“Aimee is an extraordinary leader whose impact on the Education Department cannot be overstated. Through her vision, dedication, and genuine care for both her team and the work we do, she has taken this department to the next level. Aimee leads with trust—valuing our expertise and giving us the confidence to step forward and grow. Her leadership brings out the best in each of us, making us not only stronger professionals, but also a more connected and effective team."