As an Assistant Nurse Manager in the CICU, Joanna is the embodiment of a true leader. She is compassionate, responsive, and always advocating for both her team and her patients. She leads by example, fostering a culture of excellence and ensuring that every nurse feels supported and empowered to provide the highest quality of care.

Joanna is especially known for her swift decision-making in critical situations. She is always present and engaged, ensuring that every decompensating patient gets the immediate attention they need. Her ability to escalate concerns in a timely manner has led to countless positive patient outcomes, and she consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to patient safety and well-being. One instance that had a strong impact was during a recent cardiac arrest in our unit. After the team successfully resuscitated the patient, Joanna quickly recognized that something was still not right.

Despite normal initial post-code assessments, she trusted her clinical instincts and immediately escalated the situation to the physician to order a chest x-ray. After a long wait, Joanna escalated to the supervisor, advocating the need for an urgent chest X-ray. Her insistence led to an expedited imaging study, which revealed a rapidly worsening pneumothorax. Thanks to her quick action, the medical team was able to intervene immediately, placing a chest tube and stabilizing the patient before the condition deteriorated further. Joanna’s leadership at that moment made all the difference, quite literally saving the patient’s life.

Her commitment to her unit, quick response in critical situations, and ability to inspire those around her make her truly deserving of this recognition. Joanna is not just a leader, she is a role model, a mentor, and a nurse that everyone in our unit aspires to be.