Norma Coyne, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CCRN, EBP-CH

I am pleased to nominate Norma Coyne for her exceptional collaboration and leadership in partnership with our Phlebotomy Department. Together, we successfully developed and implemented the Pink Armband Education initiative for our clinical teams to strengthen patient safety practices. This initiative ensures the appropriate use of the pink armband and clear documentation and communication within EPIC for patients with AV fistulas, active cellulitis, active lymphedema, graft harvest sites, and confirmed thrombosis.

This project required extensive interdisciplinary collaboration, coordination, and attention to detail. Norma played a pivotal role in bringing multiple teams together, ensuring alignment on workflows, education, and implementation strategies. She demonstrated strong leadership by organizing structured workgroups, facilitating productive discussions, and maintaining consistent follow-up to keep the team on track and accountable.

Her communication was clear, proactive, and solution-oriented, which helped overcome challenges and maintain momentum throughout the process. Norma remained focused on our shared goal of protecting patients and standardizing best practices across departments. She consistently encouraged feedback, welcomed diverse perspectives, and ensured all voices were heard during planning. Her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to teamwork were instrumental in the successful rollout of this important safety initiative. Norma’s contributions have made a meaningful and lasting impact on patient care and safety, and this work will continue to benefit both patients and staff for years to come.

Norma promotes Integrity by fostering cohesion, collaboration, and continuous learning across interdisciplinary teams. She consistently models transparency, accountability, and professionalism in all interactions. For example, during the implementation of the Pink Armband Education initiative, she ensured that all stakeholders, including nursing, phlebotomy, and clinical leadership, were included in open discussions about workflow changes, patient safety risks, and documentation standards. By encouraging honest dialogue and welcoming constructive feedback, she created a psychologically safe environment where team members felt respected and heard.

She also promotes cohesion by aligning teams around a shared purpose—protecting patient safety. Rather than working in silos, she facilitates structured workgroups that bring diverse perspectives together to problem-solve and develop standardized practices. Her collaborative approach strengthens trust among departments and reinforces a culture of mutual accountability.

In addition, she advances learning by providing clear education, evidence-based guidance, and ongoing follow-up to ensure understanding and compliance. She does not simply introduce new processes; she takes time to explain the “why” behind them, reinforcing ethical decision-making and best practices. When opportunities for improvement arise, she addresses them constructively and uses them as teaching moments rather than assigning blame.

Through consistent communication, a commitment to teamwork, and a focus on continuous improvement, the educator demonstrates Integrity in action—ensuring patient care decisions are thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded in shared values and professional standards.