As soon as I read the description of this award, there was one person who came to mind as a deserving recipient of the DAISY Ethics Award. She displays all of the ICARE values as a respected leader on our Parkland Health Campus, but I will highlight a few that showcase her initiative and passion for improving the health and well-being of all.

As healthcare professionals have struggled through the Pandemic, workplace violence has increased at alarming rates. This nurse recognized a need and took the initiative to create a position and platform for Workforce Safety. She has exhibited compassion & collaboration throughout her career, specifically in the last 2+ years as she has spear-headed this initiative to protect both patients and healthcare workers alike. During this time, she has initiated new policies regarding workplace violence, promoted a workforce safety officer, created a workforce safety program, lobbied at the Texas Capitol regarding workplace violence, initiated a meditation room for hospital staff to decompress, instituted care packages for staff who are victims of workplace violence, and strong collaborator of SPARKS Program. She is the reason many of these initiatives are active and at the level of success they are today at Parkland. I once asked her about her passion for workforce safety, and she taught me an important lesson. She educated me on recognizing the need early and thinking 5 steps ahead of how the problem could be resolved. She is an initiator, and she has created equity for both patients and healthcare workers alike by promoting workforce safety and solidifying Parkland Health as the 1st hospital with a robust workforce safety program in the great state of Texas.

She puts an earnest effort into everything she does, and her passion leaves her peers in awe. She doesn’t excel for the recognition, as she exemplifies service before self. Many thanks to this nurse for always putting safety first.