Laura walks the walk. She is not afraid to be a nurse and to lead her nurses to become great nurses. In behavioral health it takes a special person to lead and grow nurses to take great care of this patient population. Laura consistently exhibits behaviors of a nursing role model to include: empathy, compassion, integrity, humility, positivity, adaptability, accountability, resilience, professionalism, selflessness, and acceptance of others. She goes above and beyond when promoting excellence in nursing care. She is caring and compassionate. She is easy to talk to and will help anyone in the hospital with any type of problem, even if they do not work for her. She goes out of her way to support any team member at Woodridge. She is the glue that holds the hospital together. Laura is trusted and respected by team members and other leaders alike. Laura consistently promotes a Just Culture within the organization and makes sound clinical decisions. Laura shows a great deal of compassion toward patients and team members, and she produces high-quality work.

Laura always puts the patient first and focuses her decision-making on what is right and what is best for the patient. Laura supports and encourages nursing staff to be independent, critical thinkers. She works hard to help develop less experienced nurses into competent, well-rounded nurses. She has always been a great proponent for nursing furthering their education to help meet personal and organizational goals. Laura has a long history with the Woodridge organization and knows many of the patients over time; she utilizes her communication style to make solid connections with patients and truly wants the best for them.

She is respected as a nurse and a nurse leader. She is a true leader and is not afraid to work as a frontline nurse or work in any role when her team is in need. Within the organization, Laura consistently provides conflict resolution skills, works to improve communication, and promotes team building as she realizes it takes a village to care for patients. Laura also maintains effective communication, a positive disposition, and a professional appearance and is always prepared to interact with team members, patients, families, and caregivers.

Laura promotes nursing outside of work in her community and in her church community. She goes above and beyond for the behavioral health patient by soliciting donations from her church for needed items, such as toiletries and even McDonald’s gift cards, so transient patients may be able to eat. During nurses’ week, she collaborates with a team of nursing leadership to organize community donations to ensure each nurse and behavioral health tech receives something nice for their hard work. Laura has spent countless hours calling and visiting local businesses for needed donations. Laura always sees the value of what nursing brings to the organization and community at large.