Mark Caccavale
May 2022
Mark
Caccavale
,
BSN, RN, CMSRN
Memorial Units
Crouse Hospital
Syracuse
,
NY
United States
Mark spent at least 45 minutes talking to this patient about her stay and her concerns, and he took time to educate and talk about her diagnosis.
Over the past few years, I have watched Mark step up in his leadership role, regularly going above and beyond not just for his staff, but for the organization. He has helped facilitate the opening and closing of units at the spur of the moment on multiple occasions. Not only does he help to organize and expedite the process, but he is also a hands-on leader and you will often find him collecting supplies or moving beds. He is a champion for quality and safety, and he works with the Crouse values and the needs of his staff at the top of his mind. If he sees a staff member struggling, he will often jump in to help or take time to coach them. He is a great listener and uses a balance of empathy and humor in his communication.
Mark is also a huge patient advocate. The other day while rounding together, I watched Mark speak with a patient who was concerned about her belongings. She wasn’t sure if her niece took them home, or if her wallet and phone were lost. Mark spent at least 45 minutes talking to this patient about her stay and her concerns, and he took time to educate and talk about her diagnosis. He had a long list of patients that he wanted to see, and yet took the time to help this patient over her fears and then followed up and located her belongings.
Mark has initiated many new projects on the Memorial units. He has engaged the staff in creating a unit-based council and implemented an initiative to help staff attain a work-life balance. He holds two 60-minute meetings before the schedule is posted in order to let staff work on arranging things if needed. Whenever we are in a meeting and something has to be done, Mark is usually the first one to jump in and be willing to help. He takes his time on tasks and projects, evaluating all the options so that all bases are covered. Mark is a transformational leader and he role models great behaviors. His nurses are consistently upbeat and they are always willing to help out. With the help of his leadership, Mark’s teams have repeatedly adapted to change and rose to the occasion, again and again, to successfully care for our COVID population. I believe he exemplifies the traits of a DAISY Nurse Leader and is deserving of this recognition.
Mark is also a huge patient advocate. The other day while rounding together, I watched Mark speak with a patient who was concerned about her belongings. She wasn’t sure if her niece took them home, or if her wallet and phone were lost. Mark spent at least 45 minutes talking to this patient about her stay and her concerns, and he took time to educate and talk about her diagnosis. He had a long list of patients that he wanted to see, and yet took the time to help this patient over her fears and then followed up and located her belongings.
Mark has initiated many new projects on the Memorial units. He has engaged the staff in creating a unit-based council and implemented an initiative to help staff attain a work-life balance. He holds two 60-minute meetings before the schedule is posted in order to let staff work on arranging things if needed. Whenever we are in a meeting and something has to be done, Mark is usually the first one to jump in and be willing to help. He takes his time on tasks and projects, evaluating all the options so that all bases are covered. Mark is a transformational leader and he role models great behaviors. His nurses are consistently upbeat and they are always willing to help out. With the help of his leadership, Mark’s teams have repeatedly adapted to change and rose to the occasion, again and again, to successfully care for our COVID population. I believe he exemplifies the traits of a DAISY Nurse Leader and is deserving of this recognition.