I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Jan over the past two years. During the start of COVID, Jan managed the dialysis unit, and was in the process of construction on the Swann 4 Med/Surg unit that would soon open. In addition, Jan was asked by her leaders to take on the role of managing a COVID pop-up unit. This unit consisted of 10, all negative airflow rooms that initially started as the COVID ICU. Not only was she tasked with the challenging role of managing a COVID unit, she was also tasked with leading a unit of ICU nurses and patients. Even though this role was new to her, she did not shy away from it. Instead, she embraced it. She developed a new love and appreciation for the compassion and expertise of an ICU nurse. We have had many conversations about her experiences during this time and how amazing it was to see a provider, Dr. B, cheer on the ICU staff as they safely were able to extubate the first COVID patient who required a ventilator.

Through the ever-changing decisions of closing this unit and re-opening (multiple times) to function as an ICU and PCU with mostly BiPAP and high flow COVID positive patients, Jan continued to hold her head high and manage this area with unwavering support for all staff floated to this unit. Unless you had the opportunity to work on this unit, it’s difficult to describe the challenges the staff faced, but even in the worst of times, the staff knew they had a leader they could turn to. Jan was present, she remained positive, she assisted in patient care, she helped with the challenges of family members who could not see their loved ones. All in-between transporting dialysis patients herself, to and from their treatments and so much more. In no way would I diminish what our hospital, as a whole, has endured during this pandemic. I just personally have had the pleasure of witnessing her greatness.

Fast forward, to the opening of her new med/surg unit on Swann 4 and her COVID unit continuing to fluctuate between the needs of the pandemic, she transitioned out of one of her roles as the dialysis manager, and began a new venture of leading the Central Monitoring Unit. She has now led the CMU team for almost a year and during this year she has adopted new Baycare CMU processes and initiated new processes of her own. All for the improvement of patient safety.

Furthermore, she set aside time for each individual CMU team member to not only introduce herself, but more importantly, to get to know each of her new employees. When I asked her staff what they thought about her as a leader this is what they shared:

“She is down to earth and easy to talk to, but also firm. She makes decisions based on what is best for the entire team. She makes you feel like this isn’t just work or a job, like this is an extension of your family.”

“She’s fair and easy to get along with. She accommodates the needs of everyone. She listens and searches for resolutions. She sees all patients and ensures all their needs are being met. She’s always positive, passionate, and you can tell she loves what she does.”

“There’s no other leader like her. She really, truly cares about her staff and patients. She’s loyal, humble, and she appreciates the help we are sent. On the days we are short staffed and we have staffed floated in, she checks on them multiple times a day and ensures they are having a good day.”

“Great manager, always there when we need her. She overall is an awesome person and always has a positive attitude.”

“She strives for excellence. She’s personal and takes time to get to know you and she’s easy to talk to.”

When Jan interacts with patients and visitors, they know her intentions are genuine. Her kind smile (even behind the mask) and welcoming demeanor show our patients she truly cares about not only their safety but holistically their needs. Jan’s adaptability to lead the diversity of the units she has been given is truly incredible to witness. She has this consistent ability to inspire her teams to reach their full potential. She accomplishes this by being a leader who is kind, honest, and transparent with her staff. Her presence in her units is known and she continues to promote an ethical and trusting environment for everyone. I learn from her every day in how she treats others, the way she connects with people, and how she conducts herself with grace and dignity. How she extends a helping hand to anyone in need. She’s not just great at her job, she’s truly invested in her role as a professional and a leader. The impact she has made on our patients and the staff is unmeasurable. She’s the example we should all follow as a leader, as a healthcare professional and as human beings. Thank you.