Greg D Auch
May 2026
Greg D
Auch
,
ADN
Med-Surg
White River Junction VA Medical Center
White River Junction
,
VT
United States
There is no single “headline” accomplishment that captures Greg’s impact—because his leadership is made up of the little things he does every day.
I am honored to nominate Greg Auch for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Greg has tirelessly given to the men and women of Med/Surg since his detail to our unit nearly two and a half years ago. When Greg was assigned to this position, our unit was in a hard place. Morale was at an all-time low. Staffing was at crisis levels. Our All Employee Survey scores were so low that you had to look up to see the basement floor. At the same time, we were on the cusp of beginning a full Med/Surg renovation—an additional stressor that could have pushed an already strained team even further.
Greg didn’t come in with noise or ego. He came in calm, quiet, and steady. He led with consistency, respect, and presence. Instead of trying to “fix” everything with one big initiative, Greg did what true leaders do: he built people back up one interaction and one relationship at a time. Greg has a way of making staff feel seen and valued—whether it’s checking in, listening without judgment, solving problems without blame, or simply showing up when the unit needs him. He consistently finds practical, human ways to support the team and strengthen our culture.
One example that captures who Greg is: during Nurses Week, he singlehandedly cooked daily meals for both the day and night shift. On the surface, it was food—but what it really communicated was appreciation, inclusion, and respect for every shift. It reminded staff that their work mattered and that their leader noticed the effort they were putting in.
When the next All Employee Survey results came out, our scores improved greatly. Greg also guided the unit through the Med/Surg remodel with a steady hand, helping staff navigate change without losing the sense of teamwork and purpose that he had worked so hard to rebuild.
Today, our staffing numbers have improved significantly, and our unit feels like a place where people can do good work without dreading coming in. There is no single “headline” accomplishment that captures Greg’s impact—because his leadership is made up of the little things he does every day. Those little things are exactly what transformed Med/Surg. Greg has been a major influence in making the work life of his staff better, and he has helped create a unit culture where people feel appreciated, supported, and proud of the care they provide. Greg Auch is the kind of nurse leader who quietly changes everything—for the better. He is deeply deserving of DAISY recognition.
Greg didn’t come in with noise or ego. He came in calm, quiet, and steady. He led with consistency, respect, and presence. Instead of trying to “fix” everything with one big initiative, Greg did what true leaders do: he built people back up one interaction and one relationship at a time. Greg has a way of making staff feel seen and valued—whether it’s checking in, listening without judgment, solving problems without blame, or simply showing up when the unit needs him. He consistently finds practical, human ways to support the team and strengthen our culture.
One example that captures who Greg is: during Nurses Week, he singlehandedly cooked daily meals for both the day and night shift. On the surface, it was food—but what it really communicated was appreciation, inclusion, and respect for every shift. It reminded staff that their work mattered and that their leader noticed the effort they were putting in.
When the next All Employee Survey results came out, our scores improved greatly. Greg also guided the unit through the Med/Surg remodel with a steady hand, helping staff navigate change without losing the sense of teamwork and purpose that he had worked so hard to rebuild.
Today, our staffing numbers have improved significantly, and our unit feels like a place where people can do good work without dreading coming in. There is no single “headline” accomplishment that captures Greg’s impact—because his leadership is made up of the little things he does every day. Those little things are exactly what transformed Med/Surg. Greg has been a major influence in making the work life of his staff better, and he has helped create a unit culture where people feel appreciated, supported, and proud of the care they provide. Greg Auch is the kind of nurse leader who quietly changes everything—for the better. He is deeply deserving of DAISY recognition.