Dawn has served as Detroit Receiving Hospital's Administrative Supervisor of Patient Care Services for many years and day-in and day-out, she has been and continues to be nurses' and patients' greatest advocate. The nursing supervisor position is often a thankless role that is responsible for overseeing and orchestrating complex care for our patients by communicating and directing the work of many service lines. Often times, they are forced to make difficult decisions in order to maintain the safety of the entire hospital. Not only does Dawn perform this role with fine-tuned skills, but she is also able to do this while making all of the units feel like we are a part of her work family.
Perhaps one of the most profound moments that speak to Dawn's Leadership potential is how she functioned and handled the recent water outage that affected Detroit Receiving. From re-assigning her PCA's and patient safety attendants to manually flush toilets, personally unloading pallets of water, and even ensuring that the psychiatric areas were allocated extra water for patients who have an illness that causes them to consume excessive amounts. She was able to keep her team and the entire hospital safe throughout the entire event. Dawn treats the staff and patients of Detroit Receiving like they are her family day in and day out, regardless of what the day may unfold.
She is consistent in looking at the big picture and keeping the best interest of each and every unit in mind as she strategically plans out the hospital's day. She takes the time to actively listen to the nurses' concerns and collaborates in creating a corrective plan of action. She is assertive in taking on the challenges faced by the bedside nurses and plays an active role in helping them find solutions. Dawn sets the bar high as an exemplary leader and member of the Detroit Receiving Hospital community.