I am honored to nominate Ben Dempsey-Klott for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to both his team and the patients we serve.

Since joining our organization in March 2025, Ben has transformed the culture, operations, and performance of our ambulatory clinics. Initially hired to oversee the New Center One and Ford Road clinics, he quickly demonstrated a level of ownership and dedication that far exceeded expectations. When the Livonia clinic required leadership support—outside of his original scope—Ben stepped forward without hesitation. In addition, he voluntarily partnered with our Macomb colleagues to improve their obstetric intake processes, reflecting his system-minded approach and commitment to elevating care beyond his immediate responsibilities.

Ben exemplifies what it means to create a haven of safety for staff (Criterion A). He fosters an environment where team members feel heard, valued, and supported—both professionally and personally. His leadership style is grounded in empathy and trust, and he consistently prioritizes the well-being of his team. This culture of psychological safety has empowered staff to bring forward ideas, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

He is also a fierce advocate for his team, consistently ensuring they are supported not only emotionally, but operationally and financially. During a period when we were down providers, Ben proactively developed a plan to appropriately compensate our midwife team for stepping in to support clinical operations. This was no small feat in a highly scrutinized financial environment, yet he navigated these constraints thoughtfully, balancing fiscal responsibility with fairness and team sustainability. His advocacy reinforced trust, morale, and a shared commitment to patient care.

His impact on the quality of patient care (Criterion B) has been tangible and measurable. Ben led workflow improvements that significantly increased compliance with timely blood pressure follow-up for postpartum patients with hypertension—a critical maternal safety metric. He also helped implement a nurse-led STD self-swab visit protocol, dramatically improving access and reducing delays in care. These innovations reflect his ability to translate frontline needs into effective, patient-centered solutions.

Ben ensures that his teams have access to the tools, workflows, and information they need to succeed (Criterion C). Whether optimizing scheduling processes, redefining roles within the care team, or streamlining clinic operations, he removes barriers so staff can focus on delivering high-quality care.

From an operational standpoint, Ben excels in managing human and financial resources (Criterion D). Our clinics operate with a highly complex schedule, requiring providers to fluidly shift between locations and roles based on the evolving needs of both patients and the care team. Ben orchestrates a countless number of strategic adjustments in real time—balancing staffing, space, and patient flow—so that what could easily feel chaotic instead appears seamless. While this level of coordination is incredibly demanding behind the scenes, Ben consistently maintains composure and focus, ensuring both patients and staff experience a well-run, efficient environment. He also leads by example, stepping into clinical roles as needed—whether as a medical assistant, chaperone, or nurse—ensuring that patient care is never compromised.

Ben is deeply committed to team development and recognition (Criterion E). He has cultivated a resilient, engaged workforce by recognizing contributions, encouraging growth, and supporting professional development. His instinctive response to new ideas is “yes”—but what truly sets him apart is his ability to operationalize those ideas into meaningful change.

He has also created a culture where compassion is central (Criterion F).

Ben leads with humanity, modeling respect and kindness.