Elizabeth Ashley
May 2023
Elizabeth
Ashley
,
MBA,FAB, BSN, RN
Emergency Department/Clinical Decision Unit
Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital
Wyandotte
,
MI
United States
It is through Beth’s leadership staff have learned to believe their voices are heard and they truly are important.
With enthusiasm, I am submitting a recommendation of Elizabeth Ashley for the DAISY Leadership Award. In reading the description of a DAISY leader, Beth is all that - an ethical, compassionate leader, dedicated to quality for all she serves (staff and patients alike). She leads to ensure the emergency department is an environment that is safe, empowering, and respectful to all. She supports her teams in best practices and guides them to succeed. Holding herself accountable to her belief in fairness and integrity. Beth's compassion for those she serves is witnessed day in and day out. If an employee is sick or has fallen into misfortune Beth always checks in on them and supports them through their struggle. I have seen her tears many a time because of the suffering a team member is having to endure. Beth will go above and beyond to help ease their suffering in any way she can. This can range from setting up fundraisers, vacation donations, food, schedule adjustments and even babysitting for someone to go to the doctor- in all she does she makes sure the person always knows they are cared for and respected. Throughout COVID and post, Beth’s concern for the team members was at the forefront of her mind. She was heartbroken at the pain and suffering they experienced and deeply concerned about the injury that remained. Beth went to work recruiting experts to help her and help her team heal. Researching, planning, and meeting with experts she developed a plan. She began holding mandatory staff meetings solely dedicated to healing practices and resilience building. At first, staff was resistant (as many ED staff are) to “touchy-feely things” but afterward they voiced their appreciation, and change was noted. Anger began to subside, fear receded and smiles returned. These actions took them from victim to survivor, from helplessness to agency. Engaging and empowering is where Beth shines. She beams when the staff comes with suggestions/concerns and as a daisy leader would, she inspires/ supports/encourages/guides them from suggestion to production. Then she shines even brighter watching the results of a team and knowing they have grown in confidence and practice. An example was this year with the development of VTZ (vertical triage zone). The concerns raised by the staff about patient safety and the WPV events they were having to endure due to the ED backup in the lobby were very alarming. Beth invited all the stakeholders to engage, brainstorm, and redesign the flow of ED care delivery. This has resulted in amazing outcomes in safety, service, and satisfaction. Just recently a staff member discussing VTZ said “I can’t believe we made this happen. We didn’t just complain, we made a change. We did it, we made it better.” It is through Beth’s leadership staff have learned to believe their voices are heard and they truly are important. Beth has been the Manager of the Emergency Department for over 8 years now and recently successfully designed and managed the CDU. Many more examples make her a DAISY Leader. We are better with her as a member of the nursing leadership team and so grateful for all she gives day in and day out. 2nd nomination Beth is an excellent nursing manager; she truly cares about the staff in her department; she advocates for what is right for the patient and also her team. She has developed many process improvement initiatives including Vertical Treatment Zone, which has significantly decreased the ED Left Without Completely Service and Door to Doctor time. To increase employee engagement, Beth purchased stockings and glitter pens for over 100 employees in the ED. Each employee decorated their own stocking and hung them in the department. This included RNs, ED Techs, secretaries, physicians, residents, registration, and anyone who came into the department. Beth is an excellent nursing manager with unteachable characteristics. She ultimately cares deeply for her staff and their overall well-being. Beth is always doing little things for the staff without them knowing who it came from or getting credit for her kind deeds. These examples include lunches, snacks, and gifts for Nurse's Week. She volunteers many hours to help in the community including delivering gifts for an Adopt a Family, Wyandotte Street Fair, and Stop the Bleed.