Eric Higashi is an extraordinary nurse manager who leads by example and supports his staff every day. Whether he's representing nurses at the enterprise level through projects such as Destination One or helping a new nurse learn phlebotomy skills by offering up his own arm, Eric is an exemplary role model. It's not unusual to walk into a patient's room and find Eric chatting with them while emptying their Foley - not because he feels a sense of obligation, but because he is truly, at heart, a compassionate nurse. He leads by example, never asking his staff to do something he wouldn't do himself. Eric is a champion for innovation and has fostered a unit culture where nurses are flexible and eager to learn. We pride ourselves as being a unit of "early adopters" who volunteer to pilot new projects and partner with other units and departments. Eric's office door is always open, and there's a steady stream of people from all across the hospital coming to him for advice or just a listening ear. 6NE Staff refers to our unit as a family, and Eric's leadership is a large part of why this feeling has remained at our core for so many years.
Eric is probably the hardest working person I know, and yet, also one of the kindest and most selfless. His leadership pushes all of us to be better nurses, better managers, and better people.
What a joy to see Eric receive The DAISY Nurse Leader Award! Eric is a quintessential nurse leader. He is multi-talented and freely shares his talents with others. He is the "go-to" person for just about everyone and always seems to know what to do. He conveys a sense of security and calm even on the most chaotic days and times. Eric knows the patients and families on 6NE well and provides a unique and wonderful type of support for his colleagues/staff on 6NE and throughout the medical center.