May 2026 Honoree
Kristy Stuver, BSN, RN, NE-BC
I am honored to recognize Kristy with the DAISY Nurse Leader Award for her extraordinary leadership and commitment to both patients and staff. She consistently models compassion, exemplary nursing practice, and the core values of our organization.
I have seen her sit with a patient who had concerns, actively listen, validate their feelings, and ensure their needs were addressed. She then followed up with staff in a supportive way, turning the situation into a learning opportunity rather than criticism. Through these actions, she demonstrates patient-centered care, accountability, and respect—values she brings to life every day.
Kristy makes it a priority to round on patients daily, connecting personally and discussing their experiences. One patient shared how much it meant to have a leader genuinely listen and care, leaving her feeling valued and reassured.
She also rounds with each staff member monthly, often coming in early or staying late to connect with everyone. These efforts ensure staff feel seen, heard, and valued, fostering trust and open communication—something that had been lacking until she joined as manager. I, along with many others, believe this transformation is a direct result of her leadership.
She is a true mentor and motivator, inspiring our team with a shared vision of excellence. She encourages critical thinking and empowers staff to problem-solve independently and collaboratively. Through initiatives such as the Mother Baby/L&D Workgroup and the Unit Excellence Committee (UEC), which she helped transition from leader-led to nurse-led with a chair and co-chair, she fosters collaboration, engagement, and ownership among bedside nurses.
Kristy's dedication to quality improvement is evident in the meaningful changes she has implemented. Most notably, she led a model change in which bedside nurses assumed responsibility for all newborn accuchecks. This resulted in more than a 50% reduction in newborn hypoglycemia and significantly decreased NICU admissions, allowing more infants to remain with their mothers, strengthening early bonding and improving outcomes.
She has also implemented programs to support maternal and newborn outcomes, including donor milk, which has increased patient satisfaction, reduced newborn harm, and supported our RNCP goal of improving breastfeeding rates. She also implemented a breast pump program at discharge. I have cared for countless mothers who were anxious about how they would continue breastfeeding. Thanks to this program, they were able to take a pump home immediately. The relief and gratitude from those patients made a lasting difference in their care.
Despite her many responsibilities, Kristy remains highly accessible and engaged with staff—even on weekends. One moment that stands out occurred during a particularly busy shift when she left an important meeting to assist on the unit. She jumped in alongside staff, supporting patient care in real time. In that moment, her presence brought a sense of calm and reminded us that we are always supported.
Kristy continuously promotes and elevates the image of nursing within our organization and beyond. Through her actions, she exemplifies what it means to be a nurse leader—compassionate, dedicated, and committed to excellence.
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I am honored to recognize Kristy Stuver for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership, compassion, and dedication to both staff and patients.
Kristy consistently goes above and beyond in her role, not only ensuring the highest standards of patient care but also fostering a supportive environment for her team.
Kristy is approachable, fair, and compassionate. Her genuine care is evident in every interaction she has with patients, families, and staff. I worked with Kristy many years ago when she was a nurse tech. I was so glad to see her become a nurse and now an outstanding nurse manager.
Whether stepping in during challenging situations, advocating for patients, or supporting staff members, Kristy leads with both strength and heart. I especially appreciate how she takes time to speak individually with her staff to make sure everything is okay.
Patients and staff alike benefit not only from her clinical expertise but also from the positive environment she cultivates within the unit.
Kristy embodies the true spirit of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award through her compassion, courage, and commitment to excellence. It is with great respect that I nominate her for this well-deserved recognition.
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Kristy has served as Mother Baby Manager for a relatively short time, yet she has already made a meaningful and lasting impact on the unit's culture and environment. She consistently role-models compassion, exemplary clinical leadership, and the BSWH values by fostering an atmosphere of trust, safety, and mutual respect.
Kristy promotes a strong culture of safety and psychological safety, encouraging team members to voice concerns related to patient care and share ideas for process improvement. Her openness and responsiveness ensure that staff feel heard, valued, and supported.
Kristy demonstrates an exceptional commitment to accessibility and inclusivity through her willingness to come into the hospital during off-hours to spend intentional time with both day- and night-shift staff. By meeting team members on their schedules, she builds authentic relationships, gains real-time insight into unit challenges, and expedites issue resolution. This accessibility empowers frontline staff, enhances critical thinking, and supports timely problem-solving both individually and as a team.
Compassion and respect are evident in Kristy's day-to-day leadership. She sets clear expectations that all team members treat one another with kindness, professionalism, and dignity, and she consistently models ethical behavior and empathy.
Kristy also prioritizes staff morale and engagement, actively participating in Mother Baby morale-boosting activities. Most recently, she personally brought baked potatoes from home for a staff potluck and organized an ice cream party to encourage participation in the anonymous NDNQI survey, demonstrating her belief that staff voice, connection, and well-being directly impact patient care.
Through her approachable leadership style, commitment to professional development, and unwavering compassion, Kristy has created an environment where collaboration thrives, and excellence is expected. She exemplifies the spirit of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award and is highly deserving of recognition for her positive influence on staff, patients, and the overall Mother Baby unit.
I have seen her sit with a patient who had concerns, actively listen, validate their feelings, and ensure their needs were addressed. She then followed up with staff in a supportive way, turning the situation into a learning opportunity rather than criticism. Through these actions, she demonstrates patient-centered care, accountability, and respect—values she brings to life every day.
Kristy makes it a priority to round on patients daily, connecting personally and discussing their experiences. One patient shared how much it meant to have a leader genuinely listen and care, leaving her feeling valued and reassured.
She also rounds with each staff member monthly, often coming in early or staying late to connect with everyone. These efforts ensure staff feel seen, heard, and valued, fostering trust and open communication—something that had been lacking until she joined as manager. I, along with many others, believe this transformation is a direct result of her leadership.
She is a true mentor and motivator, inspiring our team with a shared vision of excellence. She encourages critical thinking and empowers staff to problem-solve independently and collaboratively. Through initiatives such as the Mother Baby/L&D Workgroup and the Unit Excellence Committee (UEC), which she helped transition from leader-led to nurse-led with a chair and co-chair, she fosters collaboration, engagement, and ownership among bedside nurses.
Kristy's dedication to quality improvement is evident in the meaningful changes she has implemented. Most notably, she led a model change in which bedside nurses assumed responsibility for all newborn accuchecks. This resulted in more than a 50% reduction in newborn hypoglycemia and significantly decreased NICU admissions, allowing more infants to remain with their mothers, strengthening early bonding and improving outcomes.
She has also implemented programs to support maternal and newborn outcomes, including donor milk, which has increased patient satisfaction, reduced newborn harm, and supported our RNCP goal of improving breastfeeding rates. She also implemented a breast pump program at discharge. I have cared for countless mothers who were anxious about how they would continue breastfeeding. Thanks to this program, they were able to take a pump home immediately. The relief and gratitude from those patients made a lasting difference in their care.
Despite her many responsibilities, Kristy remains highly accessible and engaged with staff—even on weekends. One moment that stands out occurred during a particularly busy shift when she left an important meeting to assist on the unit. She jumped in alongside staff, supporting patient care in real time. In that moment, her presence brought a sense of calm and reminded us that we are always supported.
Kristy continuously promotes and elevates the image of nursing within our organization and beyond. Through her actions, she exemplifies what it means to be a nurse leader—compassionate, dedicated, and committed to excellence.
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I am honored to recognize Kristy Stuver for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership, compassion, and dedication to both staff and patients.
Kristy consistently goes above and beyond in her role, not only ensuring the highest standards of patient care but also fostering a supportive environment for her team.
Kristy is approachable, fair, and compassionate. Her genuine care is evident in every interaction she has with patients, families, and staff. I worked with Kristy many years ago when she was a nurse tech. I was so glad to see her become a nurse and now an outstanding nurse manager.
Whether stepping in during challenging situations, advocating for patients, or supporting staff members, Kristy leads with both strength and heart. I especially appreciate how she takes time to speak individually with her staff to make sure everything is okay.
Patients and staff alike benefit not only from her clinical expertise but also from the positive environment she cultivates within the unit.
Kristy embodies the true spirit of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award through her compassion, courage, and commitment to excellence. It is with great respect that I nominate her for this well-deserved recognition.
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Kristy has served as Mother Baby Manager for a relatively short time, yet she has already made a meaningful and lasting impact on the unit's culture and environment. She consistently role-models compassion, exemplary clinical leadership, and the BSWH values by fostering an atmosphere of trust, safety, and mutual respect.
Kristy promotes a strong culture of safety and psychological safety, encouraging team members to voice concerns related to patient care and share ideas for process improvement. Her openness and responsiveness ensure that staff feel heard, valued, and supported.
Kristy demonstrates an exceptional commitment to accessibility and inclusivity through her willingness to come into the hospital during off-hours to spend intentional time with both day- and night-shift staff. By meeting team members on their schedules, she builds authentic relationships, gains real-time insight into unit challenges, and expedites issue resolution. This accessibility empowers frontline staff, enhances critical thinking, and supports timely problem-solving both individually and as a team.
Compassion and respect are evident in Kristy's day-to-day leadership. She sets clear expectations that all team members treat one another with kindness, professionalism, and dignity, and she consistently models ethical behavior and empathy.
Kristy also prioritizes staff morale and engagement, actively participating in Mother Baby morale-boosting activities. Most recently, she personally brought baked potatoes from home for a staff potluck and organized an ice cream party to encourage participation in the anonymous NDNQI survey, demonstrating her belief that staff voice, connection, and well-being directly impact patient care.
Through her approachable leadership style, commitment to professional development, and unwavering compassion, Kristy has created an environment where collaboration thrives, and excellence is expected. She exemplifies the spirit of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award and is highly deserving of recognition for her positive influence on staff, patients, and the overall Mother Baby unit.
Thank you, Kristy, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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