Sue always displays positive intentions with true concern for others.  She serves as a role model for compassion through her ability to make meaningful connections with others and plant seeds to promote a heartfelt culture.  One instance that stands out is when she handcrafted a memory bear for a team member after the passing of their mother.  Not only was the bear an incredible gift of compassion for emotional and grieving support for the team member and their family, but the way she imparted the gift with considerate and soothing words imparted a lasting impression of true concern and human connection. Her actions touch lives and have left an indelible mark on many hearts. Her compassionate demeanor makes a profound difference not only for individuals but also for the team by serving as a role model leader who cultivates a warm, healthy work environment.  

Sue goes above and beyond for multiple departments across the system. She leads various system teams spanning across all twelve hospitals. Sue shows a positive spirit wherever she goes, is articulate, is never afraid to respectfully stand up for what is right, and leads with passion.

Sue takes the time to let others know she cares. By supplying chocolate when you’re having a bad week, intently listening when you need guidance, or celebrating accomplishments with a wand, Sue shows her compassion to others each and every day, whether it’s in person or across the state. She sets the tone and example for others to learn from.

Sue amplifies each of these attributes. She is trustworthy without judging and shows compassion towards others regardless of what they may be going through. She is a listening ear to many and a cheerleader for all. She gives respect and earns respect through her tactful words and inviting personality. She is a champion of continuing professional development that is individual for each person. She helps identify opportunities to help others grow and motivates them to reach their goals. Finally, this nominated nurse leader models exquisite professional and ethical behavior across the entire Sentara system, whether it’s in individual meetings or presenting to large audiences. She demonstrates characteristics of a true leader every day!

Our leader took over a department that lacked confidence, future growth, happiness, and overall employee satisfaction. Today, I can confidently state that we are a completely changed department because of the exact leadership our leader provided for us and that we all so desperately needed. It was perfect timing to end our misdirection. We needed a leader to provide a vision that gave our department life back and put us on the map within Sentara. Today, each of us in the department is given opportunities and encouraged to take on projects that stretch us to limits we didn’t think were possible. She provides just the right amount of encouragement that keeps us all motivated while feeling valued and seen not only within our department but also in system-wide forums and committees.  We come to work happy and completely satisfied with the job we do, and it shows to our internal customers that, in turn, goes back to their units/patients.  Our leader still meets with every single person in our department one-on-one and values each person’s goals, visions, and feedback.  She’s our biggest cheerleader.  

Team member comments – “I have been able to share my goals freely while feeling supported. Our leader keeps in mind the long-term vision while helping her team stay motivated to push through challenges. One small gesture I really appreciate is the wands given out as kudos. During our large team meeting, individuals are recognized and asked to represent the magic they bring to the team.”  “Our leader is our #1 cheerleader. She consistently and authentically motivates us to strive for optimal outcomes for learning and for our patients. For example, she recently challenged the team that supports our ED NPD track to develop competencies that are supported by the experience so we could have measurable outcomes and could help objectively build confidence among participants. This vision and clear communication of the goal helped us expand the knowledge and skills achieved in this learning opportunity. She effectively encourages us to level up our programs and learning activities to continue to make an impact on our organization's workforce.”

Sue is the true meaning of a mentor to our entire department. She is not only our leader but a trusted adviser. She leads by example while giving you the guidance, support, and encouragement to complete your job with your own personal vision. If you’re going in the wrong direction, she’s quick to offer suggestions when asked and a gentle redirection. The redirection never feels like you’ve failed, but rather you tried, and it didn’t work. She really likes the fact that you tried and attempted the hard challenges. She’s also a visionary in her mentoring style in that we do our current work but also plan for our future needs within our department.  She’ll ask you, “What would you do?” or “How would you change that”?  As a mentor, she shares her professional experience of what’s worked for her over the years but not with the expectation you must use it but rather try it if you thought it would help, and most of the time it does. Her confidence, wit, charm, professionalism, and easy to talk to demeanor makes her an outstanding mentor, and those qualities are what we all strive to be like.  

Team member comments: “When she is on-site or remote, her “door” is always open. No matter how busy she is, she makes time to hear your concerns or ideas. I can remember one time I needed her assistance. She was visiting one of our hospitals that day. During her break she made time to call me. It says a lot that our leader truly cares about her whole team. The positive/growth culture in our department is unmatched based on my experience.” “Our leader positively influenced the next steps in my career by encouraging me to begin my DNP program. I know everyone always says, "I'm never going back to school", but I truly meant that when I completed my second master's degree. In working with my director over the last year, she has really helped me to see my potential as a Nursing Development Specialist by supporting me to write and publish my first primary author manuscript and encouraging me to reach for stretch goals with a grassroots transition to practice program for our organization's Clinical Nurse Managers. Her mentorship role in our department keeps the best interests and talents for each individual on our team striving to achieve their full potential.”

Despite tight schedules and time constraints, Sue is committed to making this journey at least twice a week and sometimes more to be physically present with her team and interact and engage with them. When not available in physical form, she maintains accessibility virtually and demonstrates timely responsiveness across multiple platforms to support the communication preferences of team members. Her open-door policy and scheduled monthly 1:1 check-ins invite team members to seek guidance and advice routinely and comfortably. Sue’s commitment to accessibility and responsiveness is also individualized and situational.  For example, one of my employees presented with an urgent concern and during this particularly challenging time of needed guidance, she completely rearranged her schedule, made herself available, and spent more time with me in one week than in a typical month to provide thoughtful insights, consider resources and approaches from new angles to work through the situation.   

Our leader serves as a beacon of nursing professionalism and excellence within Sentara Health and the broader community. One remarkable example is that she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to nursing excellence and enhanced the image of nursing within our organization by working exhaustively alongside MPDs to drive nine Sentara hospitals to the successful achievement of Magnet® status with 70% of visits moving directly to site visits compared to the Magnet® average of 20%. She has been instrumental in leading efforts to evolve nursing practice, with a focus on nursing education and specialty certification, nursing satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and implementing best practices, which translates to improved patient outcomes.  She participates as a MPD and extends the drive for nursing excellence across the nation within other hospitals and healthcare systems. Additionally, she enhances the image of nursing within the community through her support of local affiliate partners and serves as a college board member. She models and advocates for nurses volunteering in the community. As a prime example, this year, she is supporting all staff willing to volunteer for Camp Lighthouse and the United Way Day of Caring.  Encouraging and supporting nurses to get active in these efforts enhances the image of nursing in the community.  Her passion promotes and advances the professionalism and excellence of nursing in the community, within Sentara Health, and across the nursing profession.