Rita Van Allen joined the Benioff Children’s Hospital's Mission Bay Perioperative Triad a little over a year ago and has had a significant positive influence in multiple ways. She is a quiet leader who leads by example and provides a positive and supportive environment for her Nursing Team. She is a fierce advocate and has advocated for multiple key positions that have helped in multiple perioperative initiatives and successes, including Preop and PACU Nursing Leaders, a Nurse Educator, and a dedicated perioperative transport staff. Her extremely effective communication skills have been critical in multiple operational successes, including consistently exceeding First Case On Time Start (FCOTs) and patient experience benchmarks, and improved perioperative quality and safety, including improvement in surgical site infections. Her calm and supportive leadership style has allowed her perioperative directors to thrive and grow as leaders. She is an effective team member as a part of the Triad and has  been integral in establishing a successful model of Perioperative Incident Report review with the Quality and Safety Team. This model was presented as a best practice at several national Quality and Safety meetings last year, including the Children’s Hospitals Association and American College of Surgeons meetings. She was also an integral partner in the successful rollout of Electronic Consent in the Mission Bay pediatric operating rooms. She is also creative and innovative, demonstrated by the introduction of her recent initiative to have her nurse educator introduce a “communication tool of the month” modeled on the highly successful TEAM STEPPS program – a course she took and became a master trainer. Her rollout of this program in the Mission Bay pediatric ORs is held up as the model for the other Perioperative Triads. She has also dedicated her time to actively mentoring the new Periop data analyst and business manager to ensure that our utilization data and KPI data are validated, and is a champion of using this data to help make data-driven decisions to enhance operational efficiency in the pediatric operating rooms. Since her arrival, surgical volume has increased by double-digit percentages. She is also a champion of creating alignment between the operating rooms, which is a strategic initiative. She is always available for her staff and her Triad Partners and has an open mindset, willing to consider new ideas and out-of-the-box thinking. She is extremely responsive and follows through on everything she does. In summary, she has been a transformational leader as the Nursing Lead of the Perioperative Triad. We are so lucky to have her as part of our team!

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I am honored to nominate Rita Van Allen for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Rita exemplifies exceptional leadership through her willingness to learn, her composed first responses, and her outstanding communication skills.

Willingness to Get Involved and Learn the Role:
From the moment Rita stepped into her role, she demonstrated an admirable hands-on approach and a genuine openness to learning. Unlike others who may have shied away from the complexities of the position, Rita approached it with curiosity and a commitment to understanding the "how" and "why" behind the processes. Her proactive engagement set a standard for others and showcased her dedication to excellence.

Excellent First Response and Reaction:
In challenging situations, Rita consistently exhibits a calm and collected demeanor. While it can be common for some managers to react impulsively or inappropriately, Rita stands out for her ability to respond thoughtfully and with composure. Her approach not only defuses tension but also reinforces confidence among her team. She refuses to let circumstances or individuals provoke her, demonstrating a level-headedness that is invaluable in leadership.

Exceptional Communication:
Rita's ability to communicate is another defining strength. She consistently delivers her messages in a calm, clear, and matter-of-fact manner. Her communication style fosters trust and ensures that everyone is on the same page, which is critical in maintaining team cohesion and operational efficiency.

Rita's dedication, professionalism, and leadership qualities make her a standout nominee for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Her contributions have not only enhanced the effectiveness of her team but also inspired others to strive for the same level of excellence.