Ms. Phyllis is an extraordinary nurse and is very passionate about diversity in the nursing profession, most especially when it comes to the representation of people of color in the nursing leadership. She has worked on W2 as a staff nurse and unit charge nurse and is now presently our assistant nurse manager. When she worked as a staff nurse, she was a preceptor to new nurses and a mentor to other staff nurses.

Even now as ANM, Ms. Phyllis continues to mentor other nurses of color and tirelessly encourages them to pursue leadership opportunities. Ms. Phyllis is a fearless advocate for our unit and always encourages providers to join the W2 Observation team. Ms. Phyllis is an instructor of the Nurse Residency Program for new graduate nurses and nurses with limited experience.

A particular story that comes to mind about Ms. Phyllis is when we had a talented but new nurse join our team; Ms. Phyllis recognized her talent and capabilities and encouraged her first to become a preceptor on the unit, then later, a mentor to nursing students, and eventually a charge nurse. Ms. Phyllis continues to encourage this nurse to enroll in the Emerging Leaders Program here at North Memorial Hospital. Ms. Phyllis continues to work hard daily to better W2 and I'm very proud to call her my mentor. She is an inspiration to many new nurses of color on W2.