I have had the privilege of working under Mike's leadership for the past 4+ years and can attest to his exceptional qualities as a nurse manager. Mike is an individual who truly embodies the concept of a servant leader. He consistently puts the needs of his team and patients before his own, always working tirelessly to ensure that everyone is well taken care of. He leads by example, always demonstrating a strong work ethic and a passion for providing high-quality care. In addition to his servant heart, Mike is also highly skilled and knowledgeable in his field. He has a wealth of experience in nursing and healthcare, and he uses this expertise to provide his team with the support and guidance they need to excel. He is always willing to lend a hand or offer advice, and his team members respect and admire him for his commitment to their professional development. As one of the Lead RNs, I especially appreciate his help with difficult patients and challenging situations. You will see him hands-on with our code blues. He always lends his expertise with difficult IV sticks, and everybody on the floor commends him for it. Furthermore, Mike is a natural leader who inspires others to do their best work. He creates a positive and supportive work environment, and his team is highly motivated and engaged as a result. He is always looking for ways to improve processes and procedures, and this has resulted in significant improvements in patient outcomes and overall healthcare delivery. In short, Mike is a truly exceptional nurse manager who deserves recognition for his hard work and dedication. I strongly recommend him for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award and I am confident that he would be a worthy recipient of this prestigious honor.

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Patient MB was admitted to Torrance Memorial for VFIB arrest and had multiple complications since being hospitalized. The most recent was sepsis, that the doctors suspected was from a PICC line. The PICC had to removed (the MD did not wish to have another PICC line) and a peripheral IV line needed to be started to continue the patient's PCA pump for pain and IV antibiotics. The peripheral IV could not be established, due to the patient's edematous upper extremities. Mike Ramirez (manager of 5E and 5W) was called for his expertise in using the IV ultrasound machine to attempt an IV line. The patient became tearful and was anxious at the thought of not being able to adequately manage her pain or her infection without an IV line, despite efforts to console her. Mike promptly arrived at the patient's bedside and calmly spoke to the patient to build rapport and trust with her. He was then able to use the ultrasound IV to establish access. The patient later stated how she was so impressed with the quality of care she received at Torrance Memorial because a manager not only took their time to help her in her time of need but also took the time to make her comfortable, to laugh with her, and to make her feel truly cared for. This is a standard that is set by all of our PCU managers.