Emily Trotter is a nurse manager at Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, compassion, and dedication to her team and patients. She started her tenure here in April 2010 as the clinical supervisor at Carolinas Rehabilitation Mount Holly and in August 2021 she was promoted to the nurse manager of the spinal cord unit at Carolinas Rehabilitation Charlotte. She is a role model for her staff and an asset to our organization.

One of the most remarkable examples of Emily's leadership was her role in the opening of our new rehabilitation hospital in January 2023. Prior to the opening of the facility, each leader was assigned to a role to help on opening day. Unfortunately, one of our nurse managers went out on medical leave the week of opening day. This left much of the responsibilities on Emily, who was still new in her role. With strength and determination, Emily achieved the unthinkable. She rallied the troops from all three units to make sure everyone had what they needed prior to the opening. Emily is a valuable member of our team who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership during the opening day of our new facility. She went above and beyond her duties to ensure that everything was in order and that the team had what they needed. She worked tirelessly from sunup to sundown and even stayed all night on move-in day. She continued this pace for about two weeks, putting the needs of others first, always.

Emily is not only a leader but also a compassionate and dedicated nurse who cares deeply for her patients and staff. She is always willing to lend a hand, listen to concerns, and offer support and guidance. She is attentive to the needs and preferences of her patients and ensures that they receive the best possible care and outcomes. She is also committed to the professional development and well-being of her staff and encourages them to pursue their goals and interests. She is generous with her praise and recognition and fosters a positive and collaborative work environment. She is respected and admired by her colleagues and peers for her kindness and integrity.

Emily also challenged her nurses to expand their knowledge and skills by becoming certified in rehabilitation nursing. She provided them with resources and support to prepare for the certification exam. She recognized and celebrated their achievements and milestones along the way. As of December 31st, Emily was able to successfully increase her percentage of eligible certified nurses from 37.5% to 75%. This is a remarkable improvement that reflects her commitment to nursing excellence and professional growth. Emily and her team set a unit goal to exceed their Patient Experience target and improve their quality goals in 2023. They worked hard to provide excellent care and service to their patients and families. They implemented best practices and feedback strategies to enhance patient satisfaction and engagement. They also collaborated with other departments and disciplines to ensure a smooth and safe transition for their patients. Their efforts paid off as they not only exceeded their target, but they exceeded their stretch goal by obtaining a PX score of 100% for the 4th quarter. They were recognized as the top performing unit at Carolinas Rehabilitation.

Emily Trotter is a nurse leader who exemplifies the values and mission of Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation. She has shown remarkable leadership, compassion, and dedication in her role as a nurse manager and has made a significant impact on the quality of care and service we provide to our patients and community. She is an inspiration to her team and a source of pride for our organization. She is a true DAISY Nurse Leader.