Etta Bilbao
May 2026
Etta
Bilbao
,
MSN, RN
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital
Katy
,
TX
United States
Her leadership has created a work environment that is not only more efficient but genuinely supportive and empowering.
Etta Bilbao’s selection as the DAISY Nurse Leader Award honoree is supported by numerous heartfelt nominations, each reflecting the same themes of trust, fairness, advocacy, and transformational leadership. Across departments and roles, staff consistently describe Etta as the steady force who elevated both their practice and their workplace.
Etta has led significant and lasting improvements in staffing stability, workflow efficiency, and team morale within the ACU and Endoscopy units. During periods of transition and challenge, she stepped forward with composure and determination, ensuring continuity of care, staff cohesion, and a clear focus on patient safety. Her leadership has created a work environment that is not only more efficient, but genuinely supportive and empowering.
What most distinguishes Etta is that she leads with intention. She is consistently described as approachable, fair, and deeply invested in her team. She listens, advocates, and acts, whether that means securing resources, escalating safety concerns, adjusting workflows to reduce stress, or personally supporting staff during difficult moments. Nurses repeatedly shared that Etta’s leadership is a key reason they choose to stay, grow, and pursue professional advancement.
Etta is also a committed mentor and developer of future nurse leaders. She actively encourages certification, continuing education, and confidence in leadership roles, often walking alongside her team by attending classes and professional development opportunities with them. Her belief in others has helped many nurses recognize their own potential and achieve goals they once doubted were possible.
Clinically knowledgeable and hands-on when needed, Etta leads by example. She collaborates seamlessly with physicians and interdisciplinary teams, remains calm under pressure, and consistently prioritizes patient safety in every decision. Her integrity, inclusivity, and respect for diversity have fostered a culture of trust and belonging.
The collective voices of her team speak clearly: Etta Bilbao does not merely manage a unit—she transforms it. Her leadership has strengthened staff retention, improved patient outcomes, and created a culture where nurses feel valued, supported, and inspired.
For her profound and sustained impact, Etta Bilbao is highly deserving of this DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
Etta has led significant and lasting improvements in staffing stability, workflow efficiency, and team morale within the ACU and Endoscopy units. During periods of transition and challenge, she stepped forward with composure and determination, ensuring continuity of care, staff cohesion, and a clear focus on patient safety. Her leadership has created a work environment that is not only more efficient, but genuinely supportive and empowering.
What most distinguishes Etta is that she leads with intention. She is consistently described as approachable, fair, and deeply invested in her team. She listens, advocates, and acts, whether that means securing resources, escalating safety concerns, adjusting workflows to reduce stress, or personally supporting staff during difficult moments. Nurses repeatedly shared that Etta’s leadership is a key reason they choose to stay, grow, and pursue professional advancement.
Etta is also a committed mentor and developer of future nurse leaders. She actively encourages certification, continuing education, and confidence in leadership roles, often walking alongside her team by attending classes and professional development opportunities with them. Her belief in others has helped many nurses recognize their own potential and achieve goals they once doubted were possible.
Clinically knowledgeable and hands-on when needed, Etta leads by example. She collaborates seamlessly with physicians and interdisciplinary teams, remains calm under pressure, and consistently prioritizes patient safety in every decision. Her integrity, inclusivity, and respect for diversity have fostered a culture of trust and belonging.
The collective voices of her team speak clearly: Etta Bilbao does not merely manage a unit—she transforms it. Her leadership has strengthened staff retention, improved patient outcomes, and created a culture where nurses feel valued, supported, and inspired.
For her profound and sustained impact, Etta Bilbao is highly deserving of this DAISY Nurse Leader Award.