Kaitlin Montano is the Unit Director for TSICU (Trauma/Surgical ICU) and is an outstanding leader. She is very hands-on in supporting her staff and ensuring excellent patient care occurs on her ICU unit. “The greatest leaders mobilize others by coalescing people around a shared vision.” (Kenneth Blanchard, author, business consultant, motivational speaker)

Excellent patient care and staff morale are Kaitlin’s top priorities. Her staff wrote the following about her: Since Kaitlin has taken on the role, she has shown her dedication to the staff and has been helpful in many ways. During the day, she often comes out of her office to help assist the staff with turns or whatever they need. Despite her transition into a director, she has never forgotten she was a nurse first. I know many of the staff really appreciate the help on those busy days. During her pregnancy, she could be found pushing our patients to other units; she had no limits -- transport or poo -- she still would help. This is indicative of Kaitlin’s solid dedication as an outstanding leader to the TSI patients and staff.

Lead by listening – to be a good leader you have to be a great listener." (Richard Branson, British entrepreneur) Again her staff says: As a supervisor, I can say she often looks for our input and will check on us before she leaves for the day if we happen to be there for our office hours. She always has an open door for us. Lending an open ear is a great quality of Kaitlin’s outstanding leadership. It not only helps her in directing her unit in an excellent way but helps her staff feel valued.

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or work hours. It’s about relationships.” (Jim Kouzes, writer, scholar) Kaitlin has also been coordinating team-building throughout the unit and within leadership, and it seems to have been a great addition to the unit. The Duke City Relay really brought a bond that we hadn't developed yet with some of our new nurses. We are so glad she has been elected as an outstanding leader. Kaitlin’s efforts at team-building have improved relationships within her team, which then affects patient care in a positive way. Thank you, Kaitlin, for all of your hard work and commitment to TSI and UNMH. You are definitely an outstanding leader and role model to us all.

Katilin recently received the following iCare from a staff member: “Last week we had a very physical patient. In the course of the night, the patient bit two nurses and punched one in the face. We made multiple attempts to keep the patient calm and had the medical team at the bedside multiple times, who only gave us temporary fixes until the next event. I notified Kaitlin of this situation, and she quickly sprung into action and contacted the attending MD. She made him aware of the safety concerns and that these needed to be addressed immediately. Since walking into work, this was Kaitlin’s main focus. A plan was made and after follow-up, it was noted that the patient was being treated appropriately for their physical aggressiveness, and no other nurses or staff members were hurt throughout the course of the day, and he was able to be safely transferred to a lower acuity floor. Thank you greatly, Kaitlin, for your diligence in getting this situation corrected immediately and making sure no other staff members were hurt.”

This is one example – among many – which demonstrates Kaitlin’s excellent leadership and how she shines in her role as the Unit Director of a busy ICU unit. She is exemplary and well-deserving of The DAISY Nurse Award.