Alicia Lizama
May 2023
Alicia
Lizama
,
MSN, MEDSURG-BC, RN
2 West
Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley
Pleasanton
,
CA
United States

 

 

 

You can tell she genuinely loves what she does, and it shows through her enthusiasm to educate and support others in a way that makes them feel accomplished and competent.
I am proud to work with such an amazing team on 2West, and one of the many reasons why we have such an amazing team is because of the leadership we have. I would like to recognize Alicia for being such a wonderful Nurse Manager to 2West. Her tireless efforts in making our unit a great place to work do not go unnoticed. She has a calm and caring demeanor, and she works hard to provide support to all staff on 2West. She is always available for questions, to provide direction, and as a sounding board any time of the day, even when she is "off" work. 

When staff needs assistance with a difficult situation, or even just help on the floor, Alicia jumps right in to help at any time. She does not think twice; she just shows up and helps everyone at any time. You can tell she genuinely loves what she does, and it shows through her enthusiasm to educate and support others in a way that makes them feel accomplished and competent. She provides feedback and learning opportunities to staff in an approachable way. 

She interacts with patients and their families so that they feel seen and heard and is always there for anyone. She comes in early and/or stays late to support staff and their needs. She has jumped into the role of Charge Nurse many times when we were short-staffed on the floor, or to help other Relief Charges cover breaks, or just to sit at the desk. 

I have recently been trained for Relief Charge; my second day alone in that role was on Mother's Day. Alicia called to check in on how I was doing and even stopped in on Mother's Day to help me with making the assignment. She cares so much about each and every one of us on 2West, and with her going above and beyond for us, we are able to provide the best care for our patients.

Alicia helps out staff and patients when no one is watching. She's out running to call lights, helping patients to the bathroom, or stripping rooms after discharges for busy nurses and CNAs. She does all of this unseen. But I see what she is doing, and others see what she is doing in the background to help out without telling anyone; she just goes and takes action. She does not do it for recognition. But Alicia deserves all the recognition for being an exceptional nurse and leader and someone that I and many others look up to as a true compassionate leader. 

When going to submit the SHC core values and beliefs Alicia has demonstrated -- honesty, excellence, advocacy, respect, teamwork, and compassion -- it is hard to choose just one, because she hits every single one of them. She makes me strive to be a better nurse every shift. I wish the world had more leaders like her.