Cindy Ebelein
May 2025
Cindy
Ebelein
,
MSN, RN, PMH-BC
Behavioral Health
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
Rosedale
,
MD
United States
Cindy has developed and advocated for many changes over the past year, including the use of shields, new committees, emergency equipment, construction integrity for patient safety, and many other additional changes to enhance unit function and provide an environment for safe patient care.
I take great pleasure in having the opportunity to nominate Cindy Ebelein of the Behavioral Health Leadership team for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Cindy exemplifies standards that embrace the MedStar SPIRIT values and exhibits an authentic professional leadership standard that stands out. She has demonstrated the ability to create and support a work environment where the staff has embraced a compassionate and skillful level of care.
Cindy has proven to be supportive with the staff in both difficult times and times to celebrate. Often going above and beyond with her personal touches to support, encourage, and acknowledge staff members. I was very touched by her delivering beautiful cupcakes and flowers on my 20-year celebration as an employee at MedStar. In my 30 years as a health care worker, she is the leader I will remember who sent me a text early evening on Veterans Day, wishing me a happy Veterans Day.
Cindy has supported me in initiating a Sunshine Wellness Committee in the Behavioral Health Units. She also supported the committee over the last year with the development of Lavender Bags, kudos employee recognition, birthday acknowledgments, and wellness conference attendance. When I asked about the NAMI walk last year, she did not hesitate to jump on board and gather a team to walk and support NAMI through FSMC MedStar Health. She attended the walk with our FSMC group wearing our proudly fashionably designed Sunshine from the Square Mental Health awareness t-shirts.
These are a few examples of my personal awareness of her individual support, but additional unit growth includes the workplace violence committee and support of nursing individual research projects, such as the lavender scent in stress and workplace, completed by an advanced practice nurse on the unit. Cindy offers encouragement in all areas of professional development and has encouraged and supported staff in pursuing advanced clinical practice certification.
Most of the staff are engaged in at least one committee and encouraged to bring ideas and concerns to ensure the continued development of a safe and cohesive work environment. Staff are expected to attend monthly staff meetings, and the staff are fully informed and kept up to date with the unit criteria. The staff are held accountable for their performance on the unit. I recently learned she has returned to college to pursue her master's degree in nursing leadership. Truly an example of a leader who demonstrates being a great role model for others to emulate.
Cindy offers an open-door policy. Offering privacy and professionalism through thorough yet sensitive communication to enhance building trust and mutual respect throughout the department. Her pleasant and soft demeanor allows for staff to approach her, allowing for and developing a comforting and trusting relationship. It has been impressive to note her response time with emails and other forms of communication. Always welcoming and taking the time to listen to the staff, acknowledging needs, concerns, and personal issues.
Cindy has developed and advocated for many changes over the past year, including the use of shields, new committees, emergency equipment, construction integrity for patient safety, and many other additional changes to enhance unit function and provide an environment for safe patient care. This has included advocating for staff and providing added protection from violent patients. She continues to advocate for staff and patient safety, being proactive in planning and adjusting criteria when necessary to create a safe work environment.
You can count on her arrival early Monday mornings to touch base and check in with the staff and unit functions, always with a smile and a cheerful, pleasant attitude. She will be a leader I will remember, for her leadership style, personality, and just general kindness. Cindy has so much to offer, and where I have witnessed her professional growth in such a short time, I am excited for her future in nursing leadership. She sets a precedent and is a role model for others to follow. Wishing her the best and looking forward to watching her continue to grow and share her amazing leadership style with MedStar.
Cindy has proven to be supportive with the staff in both difficult times and times to celebrate. Often going above and beyond with her personal touches to support, encourage, and acknowledge staff members. I was very touched by her delivering beautiful cupcakes and flowers on my 20-year celebration as an employee at MedStar. In my 30 years as a health care worker, she is the leader I will remember who sent me a text early evening on Veterans Day, wishing me a happy Veterans Day.
Cindy has supported me in initiating a Sunshine Wellness Committee in the Behavioral Health Units. She also supported the committee over the last year with the development of Lavender Bags, kudos employee recognition, birthday acknowledgments, and wellness conference attendance. When I asked about the NAMI walk last year, she did not hesitate to jump on board and gather a team to walk and support NAMI through FSMC MedStar Health. She attended the walk with our FSMC group wearing our proudly fashionably designed Sunshine from the Square Mental Health awareness t-shirts.
These are a few examples of my personal awareness of her individual support, but additional unit growth includes the workplace violence committee and support of nursing individual research projects, such as the lavender scent in stress and workplace, completed by an advanced practice nurse on the unit. Cindy offers encouragement in all areas of professional development and has encouraged and supported staff in pursuing advanced clinical practice certification.
Most of the staff are engaged in at least one committee and encouraged to bring ideas and concerns to ensure the continued development of a safe and cohesive work environment. Staff are expected to attend monthly staff meetings, and the staff are fully informed and kept up to date with the unit criteria. The staff are held accountable for their performance on the unit. I recently learned she has returned to college to pursue her master's degree in nursing leadership. Truly an example of a leader who demonstrates being a great role model for others to emulate.
Cindy offers an open-door policy. Offering privacy and professionalism through thorough yet sensitive communication to enhance building trust and mutual respect throughout the department. Her pleasant and soft demeanor allows for staff to approach her, allowing for and developing a comforting and trusting relationship. It has been impressive to note her response time with emails and other forms of communication. Always welcoming and taking the time to listen to the staff, acknowledging needs, concerns, and personal issues.
Cindy has developed and advocated for many changes over the past year, including the use of shields, new committees, emergency equipment, construction integrity for patient safety, and many other additional changes to enhance unit function and provide an environment for safe patient care. This has included advocating for staff and providing added protection from violent patients. She continues to advocate for staff and patient safety, being proactive in planning and adjusting criteria when necessary to create a safe work environment.
You can count on her arrival early Monday mornings to touch base and check in with the staff and unit functions, always with a smile and a cheerful, pleasant attitude. She will be a leader I will remember, for her leadership style, personality, and just general kindness. Cindy has so much to offer, and where I have witnessed her professional growth in such a short time, I am excited for her future in nursing leadership. She sets a precedent and is a role model for others to follow. Wishing her the best and looking forward to watching her continue to grow and share her amazing leadership style with MedStar.