It’s safe to say that the last two years have been very challenging for anyone who works in healthcare as we’ve weathered the storm that has been COVID-19. Every department at Newport Hospital has been faced with many challenges, but each department came together and worked as one united team. At Newport Hospital, we truly are one big family. For many of us, this hospital is our home away from home. But beneath every great house, there’s a strong foundation, and without a doubt that is the Center for Professional Practice and Innovation. This team of nurses has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support our nursing staff. CPPI held countless orientations as we tried our best to fill open positions. They oriented a record number of nursing assistants to help the units that were struggling with vacancies. This department started the Nurse Residency Program and new graduate nurses felt inspired and prepared as they started their careers in the middle of a pandemic. As our census was soaring, the members of this team were found in the emergency room providing helping hands and completing admissions. During an unexpected downtime (that of course, happened on a Friday) they were seen rounding on units late into the evening, printing out documents, and helping the staff in any way they could. We endured many supply chain issues and they’ve guided us through countless supply shortages, updating us on any product alerts and making sure we received the necessary education. CPPI exemplifies the characteristics of leaders. No matter what time of day it is, you can always reach out to them. On off-shifts and weekends, they still provide the nursing staff with emotional support, encouragement, and guidance. They always have a calm, positive, can-do attitude no matter what the task may be. The Center for Professional Practice and Innovation is more than just education. This department gives us the tools we need to provide high-quality care and always keeps us up to date on the best evidence-based practices. They are the positive light that shines brightly on us, reminding us why we’re here. They truly help us to become the best nurses we can be. The members of this team keep our spirits high and make us feel valued. The nursing staff feels recognized and appreciated when they go above and beyond for celebrations such as certified nurse's day and nurse's week. The truth is, all our nurse-led teams at Newport Hospital embody the qualities of this award, but CPPI shines its sparkle on each one.