To become a leader to a group with whom you used to work as a peer takes a special person. Leslie is such a leader. Starting in the ED as a staff nurse, she bravely stepped out from night shift into the daylight as manager in 2019. Her first manager year gave her opportunities that many managers never experience in their lifetime career. Leslie dealt with record highs and plummeting low volumes due to the COVID-19 crisis. This affected the ED greatly, causing staff concerns and fears as suddenly their livelihood was at risk. All managers were confronted with the impact of COVID on their staff, but during this time, Leslie excelled. She demonstrated excellence in leadership in her willingness to work with each individual staff member, taking time to attempt to meet their personal needs, while balancing the fluctuating needs of the unit. As I was recently conducting 1:1 sessions with the staff, I heard repeatedly how much Leslie's concern for each individual was appreciated. I heard how much respect they had for her as a leader, cemented in the foundation that she was 'one of their own'. Leslie often goes to the charge nurse desk and helps navigate them through a busy moment, oversees the resuss room when staffing is tight, or helps out cleaning stretchers to help get the next patient back from the lobby. She is ALWAYS willing to meet early or late to accommodate staff on all shifts. Once, around midnight, the charge nurse called both Leslie and me because they were having a very overwhelming shift situation. I got ready and drove in only to find Leslie already here - and she lives further away than I do! Leslie told me once that she once feared this role - thinking that she could not be herself if she became a manager. Over the past two years, I have watched as Leslie engages with each staff member with kindness - a trait she did not think was recognized as necessary to be a good manager. She shared how she has learned that kindness always matters when dealing with staff, no matter the conversation. To be able to touch someone at the point of their need takes a special person who can see and develop the potential of each person on their team. Leslie is such a manager who consistently demonstrates the unique, special culture of Wolfson Children's Hospital. As I prepare to retire from this profession, it is with great pride that I see the future of the Wolfson ED to be in the hands of such a capable leader.

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Leslie is one of the best managers with whom I have had the pleasure of working. Leslie is a manager who has actually worked for/with the team she manages; Leslie is always visible and has an open door policy. She is a good listener; she takes problems and quickly solves them. Many instances show her dedication to and hard work for our unit. I could speak of many examples, but one that stands out the most to me was when I came to Leslie about our scale in the triage room, how it was seemingly inconsistent with weights and unstable to stand on. Within hours, Leslie had that scale checked by the CE tech and discovered it needed it to be replaced and it was replaced immediately. Knowing your manager has your back and the best interest of our patients and our ability to do our jobs efficiently and without barriers feels amazing, Leslie is truly exceptional at her job, and hope that she knows simply how great she is.

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Leslie is a leader by nature and has been since I met her seven years ago when I started working in my department and she was a night ANM. In those years, and following her taking the role of nurse manager, she has always been incredibly present for our team. She is highly approachable, strong, and steady in the face of adversity, and always consistent. Leslie emulates the Baptist values of community, advocacy, respect, excellence, and stewardship. I have personally witnessed her rolling up her sleeves countless times and doing anything necessary to support our staff when we are overwhelmed. She has worked in the department when we are short-staffed, actively assisting in resuscitations. She will help discharge patients, clean rooms, answer calls, transport patients- whatever she can to lift the weight off our staff during the times we need help the most. She has stayed well into night shift, despite arriving early in the morning. She recently held for two LP procedures on a night there were limited techs. Leslie has created space for holding behavioral health patients safely so we are able to offload space and treat medical patients when we are backed up. She has gotten up in the middle of the night to drive in when there were multiple traumas coming in at once, at an hour when our staffing is the lowest. She has never hesitated to work side by side with her staff, wherever and whatever may be needed, time after time - and it makes all the difference in the world to our team. Two years ago, she encouraged me to take a step forward in advancing my role, and it has changed my work life completely. She has been an incredible mentor during this time, and I will always appreciate what I learn from her on a daily basis. She is the kind of leader I wish I had for many years before coming to this unit, and she is a large part of the reason why I never plan to leave. Leslie is a true DAISY Nurse Leader, thank you for the opportunity to recognize her!

Leslie, you are an inspiration! Thank you for all you do for our patients, families and team members!