Sam is an outstanding leader who balances a beautiful mix of management skills, clinical decision-making, support for coworkers, and a commitment to investing in bringing along new nurses. Sam embodies both the art and science of nursing. She has spearheaded innovative initiatives, including developing an evidence-based improvement project from the ground up that introduced a six-hour sleep bundle for eligible patients, enhancing patient outcomes and quality of care. Her work has been recognized at major conferences such as ISNA and the Parkview Nursing Research Symposium, showcasing her influence beyond our organization. Sam is leading the way in accommodating opportunities for our staff and herself to pursue educational opportunities. Sam is always advocating for improved processes and the physical and mental health of nurses. She attends state and national conferences, including the ISNA and Magnet conferences, bringing back ideas we can tuck in our scrub shirt pockets to use. Sam stands for nurses and the immeasurable qualities they bring to work every day. Diversity is at the heart of Sam as our assistant unit manager. She does not see nurses for the color of their skin, the quality of their scrubs, or the brand of the water bottle in their hands. She sees nurses for the vast skills and experiences they bring to their work. She has helped me foster an interest in implicit bias training that I would love to bring to the unit. She is a nurse leader for all the nurses. Sam excels as an ethical example as a human and as a nurse. She treats all people with respect and advocates for what is best for patients and coworkers alike. I was recently so touched by her efforts to write a sign she had translated for a person in danger of domestic violence who did not speak English. She endorses what is right and stands behind those she leads, humbly supporting them in every way. Sam always has a student in her office, so she built them a tiny table with a little chair in her tiny office, openly sharing her cramped space with those who are privileged to learn from her. She humbly chairs the PRMC3 committee, which is shared governance on a systems level, and supports countless committees, with her relationships and her creative abilities to make any flier look like it was commercially designed and printed. Perhaps I cannot impress enough how Sam embodies what IONL and nurse leaders should strive to be. It is my honor to nominate her, all hero envy aside. Sam is the embodiment of what nurse leaders should strive to be: innovative, inclusive, ethical, and deeply committed to improving lives. It is my honor to nominate Sam for this award, as she truly represents the spirit and excellence of nursing leadership.