Tracy Van De Pol has had an extraordinary year, and her impact on our Operating Room is undeniable. In her new role as Trauma Service Leader, she has done exceptional work with the ED trauma team to update carts, develop workflows for ACS, and ensure trauma patients receive timely, coordinated care. Her clinical work is equally strong. Tracy stopped a wrong-site surgery by speaking up using the ARCC escalation method. And she was the first to raise concern during another case involving a retained metal piece, escalating the issue when newer staff hesitated. She consistently catches potential problems before they become issues, whether it’s equipment, room readiness, or patient concerns. She works exceptionally well with surgeons, learns new workflows quickly, and even supports staff scheduling when needed. Tracy recently led a Kahoot game at the OR staff meeting that had the whole team laughing and learning. Her creativity shows up all over the department through her artwork and displays, including her work with the Experience of Work task force. Her “racetrack” board kept the entire OR engaged and moving toward our 92 % goal, which we hit because she kept the momentum going.
As chair of the Shared Governance Council, she brought new life into the group. Participation has been the strongest we’ve seen, and her team was invited to present at both the MMC Management meeting and the Nursing Forum. The work she has led directly supports safer practices and better patient care in the OR. Tracy created a monthly education calendar that’s visible to the entire department, with ongoing in-services scheduled throughout the year. Under her leadership, more than 45 in-services have already taken place, building skills, increasing confidence, and supporting education on new equipment and workflows. Tracy is also a natural preceptor, mentoring multiple new nurses and techs with patience and humility. She creates a safe learning environment and encourages curiosity in others. At the same time, she continues to advance her own practice as she is completing the hours and cases required for RNFA certification. Her growth has been remarkable, starting here as a surgical tech, earning her RN, and completing the Sutter-sponsored BSN program. Her positivity, curiosity, and dedication ripple across the department. She lifts morale with her smile and giggles, and she sets a standard for teamwork, safety, accountability, and growth. She brings energy into every room she enters.
We joke that Tracy is our “personality hire,” but the truth is she’s the full package:  skill, dedication, leadership, and the kind of genuine positivity that lifts everyone around her. Tracy is exactly the kind of nurse the DAISY Award was created to recognize, and we are grateful for the difference she makes every day at MMC.