Shalita Saywack exemplifies outstanding nurse leadership through her commitment to her team and patients, and to a culture of excellence on Unit 1B. Under her leadership, 1B has experienced remarkable improvements in both employee engagement and patient experience—a true reflection of a leader who is present, invested, and deeply respected.
Shalita is a hands-on nurse manager who consistently leads by example. She is frequently on the unit, working alongside her team, offering guidance, encouragement, and real-time support. Her visible presence fosters trust, strengthens team relationships, and ensures that staff feel valued and supported in their work. This authentic, approachable leadership style has directly contributed to the strong engagement and pride felt by the 1B team.

Beyond supporting her staff, Shalita purposefully builds meaningful connections with patients and their families. She makes it a priority to engage at the bedside, ensuring patients and loved ones feel welcome, heard, and cared for. Whether addressing concerns, celebrating progress, or facilitating resources to meet individual needs, Shalita consistently demonstrates compassion, empathy, and advocacy for those entrusted to her unit’s care.
Shalita’s leadership was instrumental in the successful implementation of the 4Ms Interdisciplinary Rounds (IDR) pilot on 1B. Her consistent presence, collaboration, and support of interdisciplinary teamwork were key factors in the unit’s ability to adopt and sustain this initiative. She fostered alignment around shared goals and ensured that both staff and patients benefited from this person-centered approach.

In alignment with hospital priorities, Shalita spearheaded a mobility initiative on 1B, recognizing mobility's critical role in patient safety and satisfaction. She developed and implemented a structured mobility schedule, creating accountability and clarity for staff while embedding mobility into daily practice. Her leadership in this area extended beyond the unit when she presented this impactful work at the NYC NICHE Conference in March, sharing best practices and proudly representing LIJ Valley Stream.

Not coincidentally, Unit 1B recently celebrated an extraordinary milestone—100 days fall-free. This noteworthy achievement reflects Shalita’s dedication to safety, engagement, and continuous improvement. The pride surrounding this accomplishment is palpable when visiting the unit, where staff enthusiastically share the “fall tree” filled with leaves that symbolize teamwork, accountability, and success.

Supporting this nomination are significant improvements in both patient experience scores and employee engagement metrics on Unit 1B. Shalita’s employee engagement on unit 1B is in 88th percentile, the highest team engagement for all the nurse managers at LIJVS.
These outcomes speak volumes about Shalita’s ability to inspire, motivate, and lead with purpose.

Shalita embodies the spirit of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Through her hands-on leadership, compassionate presence, and commitment to excellence, she has created an environment where staff thrive, patients feel truly cared for, and outstanding outcomes are achieved. She is an exceptional nurse leader who makes a lasting difference every day.