Johanna is the epitome of what The DAISY Award stands for. In fact, behind her back, we call her Johanna "Deserves a DAISY Award" Navia. True story. Her compassion, determination, sincerity and true optimism are some of the cornerstones of her personality which not only make her the best nurse we know but one of the best humans we know. As a nurse, Johanna leads by example, treating all patients, families, and co-workers with respect, kindness, and what can only be described as "love." Most of us were lucky enough to be one of Johanna's many preceptees and the traits which she has instilled in all of us are indispensable to this profession. We are all better nurses because of her and we continue to grow on a daily basis under her nurturing eye.
A few years ago, Johanna rose far above and beyond the role of the bedside RN when a vacancy opened up for a manager on our floor and she stepped up to fill that role, a job which was temporary and which she still continues to hold. From the moment that she took on this role, she has had an open door policy while consistently being approachable and compassionate to not only families but to us nurses on the floor who look up to her with nothing but respect and admiration. A "Jo of all Trades" if you will, she does everything from reviewing ireports and offering constructive criticism, to policy updates, working constantly with chemotherapy changes (which is a job in and of itself), to most importantly offering support to us nurses. During RRTs or Codes, Jo leaves her office immediately and not only attends the RRTs but sometimes even takes an active role. She is willing to draw labs in her cute outfits and fancy shoes, do some Spanish translation with a worried parent, or calm a nurse after a particularly bad day. She has somehow found that ever elusive line between manager and friend and walks it with grace in her Sam Edelman flats. For instance, this recognition alone is being written by most of the nurses who are on the floor today because not only does everyone love Jo, but everyone wants her to be recognized for the indispensable role she plays. Jo is our friend, our coworker, our big sister, our role model, and our #nursegoals. If the mission of CHLA is to "create hope" Johanna is the epitome of all that we strive to be. She creates hope in all of us. Hope that someday, we can be even half the nurse, friend, manager, and person that she is. Then we will be set for life.