During the COVID- 19 pandemic and all throughout the year, many nurses, supportive personnel, and leaders have gone above and beyond to ensure the safe delivery of care and employee safety measures. However, every single day, including the COVID- 19 crisis, Tawanda's positivity of her "can do it" attitude, as well as the hands-on approach, made a significant impact on the staff, patients, and the overall organization. This impact affected me as a nurse, personally.
Having one of the first PUI patients in our organization and the staff was scared, overwhelmed, and looking for solutions and leadership. Tawanda acted quickly, and together with many, helped open the COVID-19 cohort units, this meant mobilization at many levels, from supplies to the workforce. Having the foresight to understand what was coming, what was needed, how to help the newly appointed COVID-19 health providers feel supported while reassuring them as best as she could, made a big difference. Tawanda's calming presence and outstanding leadership skills allowed the nurses, physicians, Emory staff, and patients and their families to feel safe, have resources readily available, and reassured us that what we were practicing we were already doing every day. Tawanda's steadfast leadership showed us that we are all in this together. Tawanda mentored her leadership team and provided safety like a well-oiled machine.
Tawanda was always smiling and upbeat, even though I completely understand that she must have been exhausted due to her other responsibilities of a CNO. Tawanda often informed us that we were never alone and that our concerns were heard at the senior executive level. Tawanda Austin stands out as a source of strength, kindness, thoughtfulness, safety, quality, and reassurance not only during the COVID crisis but every day as she leads our organization.