Dyan actively listens to her patients regardless of how repetitive or trivial, she delivers compassionate care, and it's not uncommon to hear her share a laugh with her patients. I know that her patients feel loved by her interactions with them, and that eases their anxiety and increases their trust.

She is a mindful charge nurse, consistently abiding by policies, but she ALSO leads by example. She is the first to lend a helping hand regardless of whether it's her patient. During this shift, the ICU had two code/near code situations and she was there immediately as a recorder.

Earlier this week, I had to leave my patient in her incontinence because my other patient was unstable and required me to stay at the bedside. An hour later, I went back to the first patient to clean her incontinence and the patient told me that Dyan had already done it. Dyan helped me without my asking her, and she did so humbly without ever seeking credit. She always puts the patient first and is a supportive colleague. She is constantly going above and beyond, emptying overflowing trash cans upon her arrival, and doesn't leave tasks for the next shift.

True leaders don't create followers, they create more leaders. And, she inspires me to be more like her.