There are not enough words to express the gratitude for the leadership and mentorship Leena has shown me since my first day at Abbott Northwestern. From the moment she transitioned to the Manager role on the float pool, Leena has made every single one of her staff feel seen and valued. She is invested in both the professional and personal development of each of her staff. 

As a nursing assistant on night shift, I will never forget meeting Leena in the hallway on H6000. She came to find me after my shift to meet me, connect with me, and learn more about me as a member of her team as well as as a person. She took a picture with me in the hall and encouraged me to apply for a position on the float pool when I would graduate from my nursing program. I had always loved float pool, but meeting the person who would be my potential manager for the beginning of my new career was reassuring. She is and was someone I knew I could trust and depend on to guide me through my transition to practice as a new grad. I had originally wanted to apply for a telemetry floor as this is where I had done my capstone experience, but meeting Leena changed my mind. I eagerly applied to float pool, interviewed and happily accepted my position on her team. 

In my first year as an RN, Leena was an invaluable resource to me beyond the expectations of her role. Leena checked not only on my development as a nurse and transition into my new role but also on my mental health and well being. She would investigate to make sure I was doing things in my personal life to ensure I was caring for my mental and physical health. Understanding that nursing is not always a light and airy romantic career, she would ensure that I had any and all support I needed at any time for any situation. At the drop of a hat, Leena puts aside her own needs and breaks to check in on staff and be there as a listening ear and a part of their support system. 

When I had my first patient fall, Leena was there within the hour. Not to berate me with questions, not to investigate what happened, not to tell me what I could do better or what I did wrong. Leena was there to provide me with support. She assured me that as my tears fell from guilt and concern for my patient, I was still a good nurse. That she didn’t think less of me and that despite doing all we can do, sometimes our patients still fall. Countless hard night shifts followed and if Leena was in office and available, she never failed to show up for me and discuss concerns or hard situations I had been through helping me to navigate what I would do in the future. She always asked how she could help, and most of the time, simply her presence and genuine care for my well-being was the only solution I needed. 

Precepting a new grad nurse this spring; the nurse and I had a patient pass away. This was this nurse’s first patient death, and this was very emotionally heavy and culturally sensitive for them. Coincidentally Leena was checking in on us as she does. I let her know about the situation, and she took the time to sit down with our new nurse and provide them the comfort and time away from the floor they needed, along with additional resources. The nurse came back to the floor and expressed to me how lucky we were to have Leena. Leena’s staff are not numbers or people with a pulse showing up to fill a gap, but instead, human beings that she cares for, and we all feel her care. She is the heart of float pool. 
    
Leena invests in the professional development of her staff and pushes and encourages them to reach their full potential. After settling into my new nursing role and finally feeling comfortable, Leena began asking me if I wanted to take on having a student. This was the first of many small pushes I received from Leena helping me to recognize, before I even knew myself, that I was ready for my next step. With newfound confidence, I began asking about other ways I could get involved and grow. I started helping with new grad skills day, became a member of UBC and was even able to participate in the CAUTI/CLABSI Clinical Action Team. 

With each stride I took in my own journey, Leena was there cheering me on and supporting me. Eventually, an opportunity came about for me to train to charge on W5500. I was intimidated and nervous, fearful that I was not good enough or ready. Leena assured me that I was capable and ready to take on this growth opportunity and that I would be a good leader for the unit. With her confidence in my abilities, I trained to charge and found myself enjoying the new role whenever I was able to fill the need on the unit, even picking up shifts when able, simply to gain more experience in this role. 

In the late summer of last year, I asked Leena if she would sit down with me and talk about her career journey. I was getting interested in leadership and curious about how to get there. Unfortunately, I had been placed on light duty, but this afforded me the opportunity to be exposed to the kind of work Leena and Hazel were doing behind the scenes. Leena sat with me and talked about her journey, she said she would keep an eye out for an interim experience for me. 

Flash forward months and months later far removed from my light duty experience, going into leadership was no longer on my radar as I was focused on precepting my student, new hires and being involved in my other work activities. I was not looking for a new role and was very comfortable where I was at. Leena approached me one morning and asked me if I was still interested in a leadership role. She explained that a PCS role was open in the hospital and that she felt I was ready and should apply. I was shocked, I had not had an interim experience and I had many unanswered questions. I was scared and felt that I had no idea how I was supposed to know I was ready. I hid my fear and put on a brave face and said, “Of course!” Leena checked on me relentlessly to see if I had submitted my application. It had been three weeks and I had not done it out of fear. When she realized this, she immediately offered to connect me with other leaders to have all of my questions answered. She did not want me to pass up this opportunity out of fear of failure. I submitted my application. Leena offered to meet with me when I found out I had received the opportunity to interview. Upon coming to her office, I found that she had spent time outside of our meeting to list all of the things that qualified me for this role and printed it out on a paper for me to have. I could have cried on the spot, but held it together while she helped coach me in my interview preparation. I went into my interview feeling uplifted and confident in myself, my qualifications and my ability with the attitude that no matter what, I would learn something from this experience.
 
Never in my life have I ever had someone invest this much care and time in my professional development. She saw something in me that I could not see myself. She had been preparing me for whatever door would open for me in my future, so that when I was ready to walk through it, I could run confidently in the direction of my new dream. I now have a job that I love more than anything. Even in my new role, Leena has reached out to me to make sure I am doing okay, and I have everything I need, even planning lunches for us to still get together. Leena Martel exhibits qualities of more than a great nurse or manager, but a quality human being and leader in life. I admire and look up to her more than words can say. For these reasons and many more, Leena Martel is a true DAISY Nurse Leader. 

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Leena is an epitome of a supportive leader and embodies Whole Person Care. Leena sees the best in her staff and encourages them to flourish. 

First, Leena is a very supportive Manager. Over a year ago, she encouraged me to join leadership and become MedSurg Float Pool Supervisor. Not only have I experienced that, but other RNs have also taken different roles, like ACNM, Orientation Facilitator, and, most recently, PCS. Leena is an inspiration to many, and they see her as a role model.

Further, Leena is very sensitive to culture and team building. She advocates for patient and make sure staff are performing their roles using safety measures and HRO skills. Leena educates staff with understanding the use of green placard for patients with history of behaviors. Leena makes sure staff is knowledgeable about violence prevention with understanding the use of green placard.

Finally, she is in partnership with DEI and B, ERG and AWE. I appreciate all her hard work on advocating for equality and inclusion. Thank you for leading with Whole Person Care culture and for your amazing commitment to the float pool, hospital, and community.