This Nurse Leader has been growing some of the best patient and staff nurse environments encompassing trust, respect, mentoring, nursing advocacy, and autonomy since 1978. She is an outstanding advocate who always places the patient first. Like Flo, you could say she has always had a mission – not just a job. She has always fought for safe, quality patient care. Her leadership decisions never waiver and are made first with the patient in mind.

At Charleston Area Medical Center there are not many individuals who have not worked with this nominee, for her, or in some way crossed paths with her. What makes her most deserving of the Nurse Leader Award is that over the course of many years, she has selflessly mentored, grown, and encouraged others to thrive in their nursing professions. If you ask her about past staff or mention just about any name in the institution, she will tell you with pride “They used to be mine - and I knew they would go on to do great things.” She is the biggest cheerleader for nurses and believes passionately in the continued education and professional development of the professional nurse.

Not only does she encourage others each day but has led by example over the years by going back and obtaining a BSN and achieving her Nurse Executive Certification. You will find this leader always being the voice of nursing in any room when patients or staff need an advocate. Over the years she has sat on or has gotten placed on a multitude of committees for her dedication, advocacy, and knowledge and continues to be a voice in nursing and patient care to ensure quality, safety, resources, staffing, professionalism, technology and so many more driven initiatives to provide the best patient care every day. This nurse is naturally a passionate leader and never hesitates to shed light or guidance on the opportunities for improvement or be an advocate for her team or every nurse in the system. This nominee exemplifies a true DAISY Nurse Leader.