Ashley Koikas, BSN, RN

I had the opportunity to shadow Ashley Koikas during her shift on Super Bowl Sunday. She was incredibly kind and welcoming from the moment I showed up. Despite a busy, understaffed evening, she made me feel welcome and appreciated my interest in learning about her role, no matter how many questions I asked. One notable example of her leadership came when a patient's transfer to JHH was delayed. The patient had been waiting for transfer out for days. Once transport arrived, the patient declined transfer, despite a medical need. Ashley took the time to speak with the patient and their family over the phone, calmly and professionally explaining the situation and options. After identifying a misunderstanding about the plan of care, she involved the provider to bridge the communication gaps that contributed to the patient's reluctance to transfer. During this time, transport left without taking the patient, saying their bed had been given away. Ashley handled this new issue calmly and professionally, and transport returned within the hour to transfer the patient out. It is clear she has strong relationships with staff across the hospital and health system, and that HCMC staff trust her. I have an entirely new appreciation for the shift director role after my time with her.