Amy Hanik
March 2026
Amy
Hanik
,
BSN RN
5e Medical ICU
Emory University Hospital
Atlanta
,
GA
United States
Her legacy of compassion and excellence has touched countless lives, from patients and families to her colleagues alike.
Amy Hanik's leadership is the heartbeat of our unit. For over 20 years, she has poured her passion and commitment into this hospital—starting at the bedside, moving to charge nurse, and now serving as our Assistant Nurse Manager. Every step of her journey reflects her unwavering dedication to patients and staff alike.
She is the kind of leader who shows up early and stays late, not because she must, but because she wants to be present for her team. Her door is always open, and her presence brings calm and confidence to even the busiest shifts. When challenges arise, you’ll see her pull her hair back, a sign that she’s ready to jump in and provide hands-on care without hesitation. That simple gesture speaks volumes about her servant leadership and her deep-rooted love for nursing.
Beyond her daily responsibilities, she goes above and beyond to foster meaningful connections with every team member. From the moment she interviews a candidate, she begins building a relationship that continues through orientation and beyond. She partners with our education coordinator to personally meet new staff during orientation, making them feel welcomed and supported from day one. Her investment in their growth doesn’t stop there. She has written countless recommendation letters for nurses pursuing advanced practice roles, such as NP or CRNA school. Her encouragement and advocacy have helped many of our colleagues achieve their dreams, and that ripple effect of her leadership is felt throughout the unit.
Amy honors her team by reading all the acute care floor Press Ganey patient experience comments. She identifies areas of opportunity for our unit and shares kudos with specific details to highlight the exceptional care our nurses provide every day. She closes the loop by bringing these insights to huddles, UPC, and one-on-one conversations, turning feedback into recognition and action.
Her advocacy extends beyond our unit walls. She represents our team at the system level by actively participating in planning for the new supply closet system, Wavemark, ensuring that frontline staff voices are heard in operational decisions. She also attends our Unit Practice Council (UPC) meetings as a true member of the team, providing insight and guidance as our operations content expert. Her willingness to engage at every level from bedside care to system-wide initiatives shows her commitment to improving workflows and patient outcomes for all.
Most importantly, her dedication to patient safety is unmatched. Over the past year, she has consistently completed more than her required fall implementation audits each week, demonstrating her proactive approach to preventing harm and ensuring the highest standards of care. This level of commitment speaks to her belief that safety is not just a policy, but it is a promise to every patient we serve.
Our unit’s organization and success are a direct result of her tireless efforts. She advocates fiercely for her staff, celebrates our wins, and supports us through the hard days. Her leadership is not just about managing it’s about inspiring. She leads with grace, humility, and strength, making every team member feel valued and empowered.
Amy embodies the spirit of nursing and the DAISY Award. Her legacy of compassion and excellence has touched countless lives, from patients and families to her colleagues alike. We are proud and grateful to have her guiding our team.
She is the kind of leader who shows up early and stays late, not because she must, but because she wants to be present for her team. Her door is always open, and her presence brings calm and confidence to even the busiest shifts. When challenges arise, you’ll see her pull her hair back, a sign that she’s ready to jump in and provide hands-on care without hesitation. That simple gesture speaks volumes about her servant leadership and her deep-rooted love for nursing.
Beyond her daily responsibilities, she goes above and beyond to foster meaningful connections with every team member. From the moment she interviews a candidate, she begins building a relationship that continues through orientation and beyond. She partners with our education coordinator to personally meet new staff during orientation, making them feel welcomed and supported from day one. Her investment in their growth doesn’t stop there. She has written countless recommendation letters for nurses pursuing advanced practice roles, such as NP or CRNA school. Her encouragement and advocacy have helped many of our colleagues achieve their dreams, and that ripple effect of her leadership is felt throughout the unit.
Amy honors her team by reading all the acute care floor Press Ganey patient experience comments. She identifies areas of opportunity for our unit and shares kudos with specific details to highlight the exceptional care our nurses provide every day. She closes the loop by bringing these insights to huddles, UPC, and one-on-one conversations, turning feedback into recognition and action.
Her advocacy extends beyond our unit walls. She represents our team at the system level by actively participating in planning for the new supply closet system, Wavemark, ensuring that frontline staff voices are heard in operational decisions. She also attends our Unit Practice Council (UPC) meetings as a true member of the team, providing insight and guidance as our operations content expert. Her willingness to engage at every level from bedside care to system-wide initiatives shows her commitment to improving workflows and patient outcomes for all.
Most importantly, her dedication to patient safety is unmatched. Over the past year, she has consistently completed more than her required fall implementation audits each week, demonstrating her proactive approach to preventing harm and ensuring the highest standards of care. This level of commitment speaks to her belief that safety is not just a policy, but it is a promise to every patient we serve.
Our unit’s organization and success are a direct result of her tireless efforts. She advocates fiercely for her staff, celebrates our wins, and supports us through the hard days. Her leadership is not just about managing it’s about inspiring. She leads with grace, humility, and strength, making every team member feel valued and empowered.
Amy embodies the spirit of nursing and the DAISY Award. Her legacy of compassion and excellence has touched countless lives, from patients and families to her colleagues alike. We are proud and grateful to have her guiding our team.