I am constantly looking up to Shanteka to remind myself of the kind of care I want to give my patients and how I want to be perceived by my peers. She's had a pivotal role in every aspect of my nursing journey and I really don't think she understands the positive impact she has on people. As a student, my preceptor always talked highly of her, saying how calm she acts in emergencies and if there's conflict, she is a perfect medium because she doesn't take sides and can placate any feud.

When it was my last day as a student extern, she pulled me aside and said I would become a great nurse because of my willingness to learn and my great bedside manner- something so simple but means the world to a nursing student and something I still remind myself today as a nurse. And she treats everyone this way. Even if she is being pulled into a million directions at once, she never lets on that she is stressed and will always help. She constantly checks in throughout the day and will pass meds without hesitation. It is not uncommon to see leaders with the attitude of "do as I say, not as I do" or to take a laisse-faire attitude, but Shanteka truly leads by example with a humble and kind demeanor. She readily joins us in the trenches so she is able to tell management what bedside nurses are actually experiencing and what we need.

And finally, she encourages. I had a difficult first year as a nurse after losing a patient and she let me cry with her, and then took my phone so I could cry alone. She advocated for me so the right people knew about the situation at hand and then continued to support me after the fact. I jokingly say to her "I want to be you when I grow up" but then tell her its not a joke. If nursing was a competition, she would win hands down. Thank you Shanteka for all you do for ABIMW. We appreciate you!