Kristine Vermillion, BSN, RN, CBRN

    
I am honored to nominate Kristine Vermillion, Assistant Nursing Director, for this award. Kristine embodies what it means to be an exceptional nurse leader through her dedication to patient safety, her commitment to staff development, and her ability to inspire those around her every day.

I first met Kristine on my very first day on the unit as a student nurse extern. Before she even knew me, she enthusiastically said something along the lines of, “Oh, a student—I love students! I want you to work with me!” That moment stayed with me. Her kindness and genuine excitement to teach immediately created a welcoming environment and set the tone for my experience. Throughout my orientation, I came to know Kristine not only as a preceptor, but as a mentor who truly invests in the growth and success of others.

It came as no surprise when Kristine stepped into the role of Assistant Nursing Director. She is a natural leader and role model—someone who leads with integrity while remaining approachable and supportive. She is not only a supervisor to the unit staff, but also someone you can turn to as a trusted friend when you need guidance or encouragement. She consistently demonstrates professionalism while fostering a culture of respect, compassion, and accountability.

Kristine is deeply committed to patient safety and quality care. She is always thinking of innovative ways to improve outcomes and protect our patients. For example, she recently implemented fall-risk signage on patient room doors, helping staff remain vigilant and proactive in preventing harm. Her dedication to continuous improvement ensures that evidence-based practices are not only introduced but meaningfully integrated into daily care.

She also fosters a strong culture of learning and mentorship on the unit. Kristine is constantly finding creative ways to support staff education, such as developing a detailed burn care dressing poster to help nurses better understand treatment approaches. This resource has been especially valuable for new graduate nurses transitioning into such a specialized and challenging environment. Her passion for teaching empowers nurses at all levels to grow in both confidence and competence.

Kristine promotes teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration through her constant presence and engagement on the unit. She regularly rounds with staff, assists with patient care, and checks in at night and on weekends to ensure everyone feels supported. Even after my orientation ended, Kristine continued to check in on me, reinforcing that her commitment to her team does not end once training is complete. She creates an environment where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued.

Beyond the unit, Kristine’s dedication to the burn community is truly inspiring. She actively participates in community efforts, supports the local foundations, and celebrates our patients as they transition back into their lives. Her passion is evident in the way she speaks about our service line and in the pride she takes in our patients' resilience.

Working on this unit is uniquely challenging, but Kristine leads in a way that motivates others to rise to that challenge with compassion, resilience, and excellence. She inspires me every day to be a better nurse, a stronger teammate, and a future mentor. Her leadership not only impacts patient outcomes but also shapes our team's culture and strength.

For these reasons, I wholeheartedly recommend Kristine for this award. She exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, inspire positive change, and make a lasting difference in the lives of both patients and staff.