Deborah Vaughn, MSN, RN

I’ll start with a question. Who has left a lasting influence on your life? First thought that comes to mind, don’t answer out loud, take a moment…

People talk about leaving a legacy. Some people leave a legacy. Those who came to your mind have an enduring impact and contributed from their life’s work, relationships, and character. The legacy someone creates is built over time. It is not a single decision – it’s constructed over time. It’s the evolution of impact, the way water carves its way through rock.

Debbie has done that over a career of mission and service. She has a compassion that comes from her heart. She is about making an impact in whatever role that she has. I’ve seen her lead, coach and communicate in a manner that her core values are exhibited. Her actions come from what is in her heart. God has always been her leader that she looks to – prayerfully – guiding her in all of her actions.

The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award Criteria are:

· Distinguished career as a nurse in clinical practice and administration that promotes a positive image of professional nursing

· Demonstrates and actively engages in the professional development of self and others in the nursing profession

· Serves as a role model and advocate for nursing practice and the advancement of the nursing profession

· Advocates for the improvement of patient care and serves as an example for enhancing the patient experience

· Recognized by the broader nursing community as a transformational nursing leader

Leadership starts in the heart. And it is about people. It’s also about expertise, skills development, passion, motivation, innovation. And that’s why people are a key motivation for a leader. Because our human-ness makes us imperfect and why the people around us are so important to be cared for.

When leadership starts there, it creates a distinguished career and not only makes a positive image for Starr (or anywhere else Debbie has been) but also for the nursing profession as a whole.

She has endeavored to grow the people around her. She demonstrated this at Starr with the clinical ladder program and an intern program. She advocated for the development of nurses of all experience levels.

She also advocated for the patients that we serve. She provided the leadership for our stroke program – allowing us to achieve stroke accreditation and earn the Gold and Silver award for Get with the Guidelines by the American Heart Association. This drives the standards of care for stroke patients to a higher level.

She also rallied our team for our community. Upon arriving, she began to work on keeping our patients at Starr. She desired to take care of our patients. She worked with our various nursing leaders to take care of patients in the ER until we could get them a bed on the floor. This allowed families to stay close to home, with easier access to their loved ones – in addition to saving community resources from transfers out of town.

She is respected across her nursing leader cohort as a sound voice and solid force.

People who leave a legacy can know that their life matters.