The very professional yet calm, positive, and personable spirit that Clifton demonstrates to our team in PPO is valued and deeply appreciated by all of us. Even as he recently took on the additional role of interim OR manager without unloading any of his other responsibilities for managing PPO, SSU, and PACU, he continues to make himself available to us when we reach out. He continues to visit the department to make sure everyone is doing okay and to ask if we need anything from him. He cares for his team members personally and goes the extra mile to be flexible and accommodate individual needs when he can, while still ensuring the department is covered and the work gets done. The trust and respect he demonstrates to his staff have been instrumental in helping his clinical leads and charge nurses develop in their roles, as he models leadership while choosing not to micro-manage. His appreciation for WellSpan and the commitment he demonstrates to the values and mission are contagious to his team as he leads by example. He sets the positive tone!

The opportunities he provides for team members to participate in committees, education, systems, or entities have supported the professional growth and development of his nurses. As a PPO nurse, I hear many positive comments from patients returning to WECH for surgery because of the great care they received from the surgical team. I believe Clifton gets much of the credit for this positive image. He manages to keep everything running professionally, safely, and positively, creating an environment valued by staff and patients alike. It is thanks to Clifton's leadership that his department experiences little staff turnover. It has been a true privilege and blessing to work under Clifton for the past 8+ years. Thank you, Clifton!

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I would like to nominate our Interim Operating Room Nurse Manager, Clifton Shanklin, for the DAISY Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership, humility, and genuine commitment to supporting staff and patient care. While continuing to manage the SSU and PACU, Clifton stepped into the interim Nurse Manager role for the Operating Room during a time of transition and high census. From the very beginning, he was open and honest about his lack of prior OR experience. Rather than allowing that to be a barrier, he made it clear that he wanted to learn and truly understand how the OR functions. We regularly see him in OR scrubs, spending time in the department, asking thoughtful questions, observing workflows, and engaging with staff. His presence is not performative; it is intentional. He listens, seeks understanding, and shows genuine respect for the complexity of the work we do. That willingness to learn has gone a long way in building trust within the OR team.

What stands out most is that his intentions have been honest and pure since day one. He has not hesitated to take action on our concerns, including actively working to secure a surgical technologist traveler to help address staffing challenges. His responsiveness and advocacy demonstrate that he is not just filling a role, but truly showing up for this department. Balancing leadership over multiple units while still making time to support and learn in the OR is no small task. His approachability and dedication have made a meaningful impact on staff morale and patient care. He leads by example and embodies the values the DAISY Award represents.