The words that come to mind about Pam are: professional, respectful, dedicated, accountable, mentor, advocate, positive, hard-working, genuine, caring, compassionate, happy, trustworthy, a “can do” attitude, vigilant, patient, courteous, and always kind. Pam is an excellent leader. She leads with professionalism by setting a good example of how all people should be treated with dignity and respect while at the same time fostering individuals to be independent and “go getters.” Her high ethical standards and vast experience enable her to be an excellent mentor to her staff. She is inspiring and elevates others to be the best they can be.

Pam is remarkable in the number of roles she performs as a manager. I’ve seen her in action when she is trying to put out fires by multi-tasking and orchestrating all the departments she oversees with finesse and professionalism. Her involvement in the hospital and community is a testimony to her sense of compassion. She shows great concern for the welfare of others and is actively involved in finding solutions to difficult challenges. I’ve witnessed when she’s had to think outside the box to ensure patients received the care and treatment they needed.

Personally, when I was going through a divorce, she was kind and supportive. I’m not originally from North Carolina and therefore I have no family here. She never wanted me to feel alone. When I moved, she didn’t hesitate to help. She had her husband and sons at my house packing and moving everything. I didn’t have to ask. Another example is when she went out of her way to check on me when I was sick. Not only did she offer, but she brought me medicine and food if I needed it. She drove me home after procedures I would have here at SAMC. Pam cares that much about all of her staff.

Pam is truly invaluable here at SAMC. Her moral compass exudes Sentara’s commitment to “Improving Health Every Day.” She treats everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion regardless of who you are. I’ve seen it…I’ve witnessed it. She is genuinely one of the most caring people I know, not only professionally but in her home life as well. I often say to myself, “I want to be like her when I grow up.” I don’t know if I’ve done a great job of describing or explaining why I believe she is deserving of this award. But to know her…you’d instantly understand. To see her in action…is inspiring, to say the least. I can tell you this…every one of her employees appreciates who she is as a professional, as a leader, as a mentor. Pam is a true compassionate leader with a love for what she does.

We appreciate how hands-on and involved she is within our department. She always communicates with our patients and even fills in to help us when we are down a team member. In my two years at SAMC, I have seen Pam show intelligence, diplomacy, wisdom, and compassion. She is a nurse who stands out amongst other nurses and managers. Her heart and dedication are on display every day and she lifts everyone around her to a higher level. In my long healthcare career, I have not seen a manager as balanced as Pam.

Pam moved into management in our department during my years of service here. I have watched her grow in this role from a timid leader to one who fosters autonomy and bedside decision-making. Her team is the most autonomous of any you will find and always seeking ways of improving processes in favor of patient satisfaction and outcomes. I believe this is because we all have her words in the back of our minds, “But what is best for the patient?” She always asks us when we present an issue to her.

Pam is not a “top-down" style of leader. She is never ruling with an iron fist or intimidating. Pam also takes time to understand and empathize with every employee’s personal situation. Always wanting to work with every individual so that both employee and team get what they need. She has taught me that this is a better way to maintain staff satisfaction. Hence our turnover is not an issue, we all love our jobs and leave smiling.

Don’t know where to begin. She has all of the above attributes and more. She’s calm when things get busy. Encourages us to be the best we can be by example and kind words. She never hesitates to chip in and work by our sides. Incredibly blessed to be under her wings.

Our nurse manager is awesome! She exemplifies all of the above attributes and more! She willingly helps out when needed. Always goes above and beyond for staff, patients, and visitors! Pam embodies all the qualities of an extraordinary leader and manager. She consistently models all the values Sentara stands for. As my manager, she is compassionate, professional, motivating, and always helps when needed. Her professionalism and management style make everyone’s job easier. Workflow is easy and organized and allows the staff she manages to concentrate on taking care of patients. She always has a smile for everyone and goes out of her way to treat her staff on holidays and birthdays. The environment she has created for her staff to work in is calm no matter what is going on. We all know she is readily available whenever she is needed. The best compliment I can give about Pam is she is our True North, every day in all of our doings for all of her staff. She is ethical, honest, and can lift the spirits of all around her-staff and patients. She does an extraordinary job in all she undertakes and that is why I nominate her for the DAISY award.

Pam encompasses the values and integrity of a true leader. She has worn many hats during her nursing career. This experience provides her with the knowledge and confidence to lead a variety of teams efficiently and seamlessly. She jumps in to help her teams as needed and does so with a smile. The compassion she shows towards every patient she encounters is extraordinary. She sets a positive example to lead her team and provide the best possible care to our patients.