Netasha Leonard-Smith
July 2025
Netasha
Leonard-Smith
,
BSN, CMSRN, RN
Infectious Disease Division
Atrium Health Infectious Disease Kenilworth, Atrium Health Infectious Disease Cabarrus
Charlotte
,
NC
United States
Working in Infectious disease is constantly embracing the unknown. From frequent changes in patient conditions, epidemiology, new research, new standards of care and treatment, it requires you to have a flexible mindset. Netasha is organized in her thoughts so that she can keep up with the demand of constant changes.
When reviewing Atrium Health's Purpose and commitments, it states our commitment is to redefine care and the promises our teammates make to fulfill our Purpose. Our Purpose includes - Lift Everyone Up; Lead the Way; Think Boldly Together; and Embrace the Unknown. According to the website, the DAISY Nurse Leader Award was created to shine a light on those who do not typically have direct patient care as part of their work and those who create an environment where compassionate, skillful care thrives. As a float nurse on the Medical Group resource team, I encounter many different nurse leaders at the locations I'm assigned to. Therefore, I've seen several different types of leadership styles. While working in the Infectious Disease Clinic, I was inspired by the leadership of Netasha Leonard-Smith. Netasha embodies what the DAISY Nurse Leader award was created for daily.
Netasha exemplifies Atrium Health’s commitment and purpose proudly. Netasha ensures patients receive the best quality of care. Netasha is supportive not only of her patients but also of the staff. Netasha has worked weekends outside her normal staffing hours to ensure patients receive the care they need and that her staff have the work-life balance that they need. Netasha’s flexibility and ability to still maintain her own work-life balance in a clinic that has a very demanding and busy schedule are very admirable. Many of the patients speak so highly of her that when Netasha is out of the office (which is rare), they are actively seeking her because of the great care she provides. Netasha lifts everyone up, from the staff to the patients.
On a daily basis, she makes it her duty to check on her staff throughout the day and keeps an open-door policy for them to communicate. Netasha ensures that staff have access to the technology and equipment they need, even if it means Netasha walking to another unit herself to get it for them. Netasha is an innovative thinker and is not afraid to lead the way for her team. Netasha makes it her mission to recognize and reward her teammates for the work that they do. Netasha ensures the staff members maintain proper competency and development skills. This is commendable because while being a nurse supervisor and managing her team, Netasha is still willing to provide direct patient care when her team needs assistance. As a leader, she still allows herself to be teachable while still properly educating staff members who may need further knowledge. Working in Infectious disease is constantly embracing the unknown. From frequent changes in patient conditions, epidemiology, new research, new standards of care and treatment, it requires you to have a flexible mindset. Netasha is organized in her thoughts so that she can keep up with the demand of constant changes. There are many great leaders in the Atrium Health organization and Netasha is one of them and deserves to be recognized on a grand scale. Netasha would make a great recipient of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
Netasha exemplifies Atrium Health’s commitment and purpose proudly. Netasha ensures patients receive the best quality of care. Netasha is supportive not only of her patients but also of the staff. Netasha has worked weekends outside her normal staffing hours to ensure patients receive the care they need and that her staff have the work-life balance that they need. Netasha’s flexibility and ability to still maintain her own work-life balance in a clinic that has a very demanding and busy schedule are very admirable. Many of the patients speak so highly of her that when Netasha is out of the office (which is rare), they are actively seeking her because of the great care she provides. Netasha lifts everyone up, from the staff to the patients.
On a daily basis, she makes it her duty to check on her staff throughout the day and keeps an open-door policy for them to communicate. Netasha ensures that staff have access to the technology and equipment they need, even if it means Netasha walking to another unit herself to get it for them. Netasha is an innovative thinker and is not afraid to lead the way for her team. Netasha makes it her mission to recognize and reward her teammates for the work that they do. Netasha ensures the staff members maintain proper competency and development skills. This is commendable because while being a nurse supervisor and managing her team, Netasha is still willing to provide direct patient care when her team needs assistance. As a leader, she still allows herself to be teachable while still properly educating staff members who may need further knowledge. Working in Infectious disease is constantly embracing the unknown. From frequent changes in patient conditions, epidemiology, new research, new standards of care and treatment, it requires you to have a flexible mindset. Netasha is organized in her thoughts so that she can keep up with the demand of constant changes. There are many great leaders in the Atrium Health organization and Netasha is one of them and deserves to be recognized on a grand scale. Netasha would make a great recipient of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.