Karen Oberman currently manages over 100 employees and knows each one’s strengths, weaknesses, goals, and issues they are facing. She has gone above and beyond to encourage their professional development. Karen started hiring ADNs into the Supplemental Float Team and has already had several graduate with their BSNs! When she has a new employee, she thoughtfully approaches staff to ask to be preceptors based on each nurse's strengths and skills to best match the new employee’s learning style and comfort level. She wants EVERYONE to succeed. She has an open-door policy, and her staff know she genuinely cares about their wellbeing and will provide every resource available to support them. Karen recognizes and interacts with her staff and leaders with any opportunity she is given. It is not uncommon to see her rounding on them throughout Mitchell and CCD with a sombrero and maracas during Cinco de Mayo, bringing treats for Mardi Gras, wearing green and passing out beads for St Patrick’s Day, collecting gifts for Comer patients during the holiday season, and passing out hugs and high fives daily. Even with multiple tasks on her plate, Karen manages to see each of her staff who are working every day, which is not easy because they float to and work across all hospitals. She stresses the importance to them of taking care of themselves as well as their patients. Karen also supports her fellow peers. On days that are very busy and stressful, hearing Karen break the tension with music and singing or telling one of her stories always lightens the mood and keeps the office filled with laughter. She is always willing to be an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on for her staff as well as her peers. Karen always has a kind, positive word of support. Many times, on the Town Halls she will give thanks and acknowledge others for their successes. She often randomly sends out positive emails in support and thanks of the hard work of her leaders, as well as her staff. Karen always “manages up” others, and her comments come from an optimistic, “can do” point of view, no matter the challenge. Through these actions, she shows her accountability and ownership, as well as her commitment to excellence, which are two key core values of our UCM MVV. Karen embodies and role models the MVV every day. UCM is very fortunate to have Karen.