March 2026 Honoree
Tamara D Sanders, BSN, RN, CEN
In the Emergency Department, where controlled chaos can become the norm, Tamara is truly the captain of the ship. Her leadership is steady, visible, and deeply reassuring — not just to patients and families, but to every member of her team. Even on the most overwhelming days, when the ED is operating at 300% capacity, when all the beds are full, and ICU admissions are boarding in hallways, and when the pressure feels relentless, Tamara stands strong, confident, and composed. Her message is always clear: “We’ve got this.” And because she says it — and lives it — the team believes it.
I recently witnessed her in the middle of one of those extraordinarily stressful shifts. Beds were full. Hallways were lined. The pace was intense. Yet Tamra never wavered. She prioritized with precision, supported her staff by taking a full patient assignment, and maintained an atmosphere of calm determination. What moved me most, however, was not just her operational leadership — it was her heart.
Amidst the surge, Tamara took time to provide some compassion to an adult autistic patient who was overwhelmed and frightened. She gently helped him call his mother, recognizing that what he needed in that moment was connection and reassurance. There was no audience. No spotlight. Just quiet, authentic compassion. That is who Tamara is every single day.
Her clinical excellence is unquestioned. Her leadership is formidable. But it is her empathy — her instinct to see the human being in front of her, even in the most chaotic environment — that sets her apart.
As CNO, I am profoundly grateful for Tamara. She embodies the strength, resilience, and heart of nursing. She leads with courage. She cares with intention. She reminds us all that even in the busiest emergency department, compassion is never optional — it is essential.
She is more than a CNC - She is a steady anchor, a trusted leader, and a daily example of what extraordinary nursing looks like.
It is with deep appreciation and pride that I nominate her for the DAISY Award.
I recently witnessed her in the middle of one of those extraordinarily stressful shifts. Beds were full. Hallways were lined. The pace was intense. Yet Tamra never wavered. She prioritized with precision, supported her staff by taking a full patient assignment, and maintained an atmosphere of calm determination. What moved me most, however, was not just her operational leadership — it was her heart.
Amidst the surge, Tamara took time to provide some compassion to an adult autistic patient who was overwhelmed and frightened. She gently helped him call his mother, recognizing that what he needed in that moment was connection and reassurance. There was no audience. No spotlight. Just quiet, authentic compassion. That is who Tamara is every single day.
Her clinical excellence is unquestioned. Her leadership is formidable. But it is her empathy — her instinct to see the human being in front of her, even in the most chaotic environment — that sets her apart.
As CNO, I am profoundly grateful for Tamara. She embodies the strength, resilience, and heart of nursing. She leads with courage. She cares with intention. She reminds us all that even in the busiest emergency department, compassion is never optional — it is essential.
She is more than a CNC - She is a steady anchor, a trusted leader, and a daily example of what extraordinary nursing looks like.
It is with deep appreciation and pride that I nominate her for the DAISY Award.
Thank you, Tamara D, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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