Darby Russell
March 2024
Darby
Russell
,
MSN, RN
Emergency Department
Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital
Brownstown
,
MI
United States

 

 

 

Her actions are selflessly, doing everything with her power to create and support excellence in care delivery, a healthy work environment that is compassionate and respectful.
I am writing to nominate Darby Russell for The DAISY Nurse Leader Award for HFWH. Darby has been a leader for HFWH/Brownstown Emergency Department for the past 10 years, the last 8 as clinical manager at Brownstown ED. Her depth of compassion and dedication is without a doubt her biggest attribute. Her actions are selfless, doing everything in her power to create and support excellence in care delivery, and a healthy work environment that is compassionate and respectful. This has led to Brownstown ED being a highly engaged team and care experience scores in the top decile for all her years. Darby cares for her team on or off shift. Checking on them if they have an illness (just to see if she can help in any way) coming in at all times of the day or night to support the department or changing plans with her family to drop off food. Darby’s leadership has instilled an unwavering commitment to quality into the Brownstown environment. Using data, process improvement, and collaboration Darby has led Brownstown ED for quality actions from Stroke to STEMI, Maternal to Pediatric emergencies, and everything in between. This has resulted in an average Door-to-needle time of under 45 minutes, the rollout of the Maternal HTN process, and an expansion of education and resources for pediatric emergency care.

There was a patient who was being treated in the ED that was eventually admitted to the hospital. The patient was upset about the admission and expressed to the staff that she recently fell on hard times and was living out of her car with her dog. The patient was very upset about not knowing what to do with her dog and she even thought about leaving without completing her treatment. The situation was brought to Darby's attention and without hesitation she jumped into action. Darby went above and beyond to try to get her dog placed somewhere so that the patient could be admitted and not have to worry about him. Darby made multiple calls and she eventually found a friend who ran a shelter to care for the dog for the duration of the patient's stay at Wyandotte. Darby recognized how important this was to the patient and the patient stayed and received the treatment she needed.

Darby is not only a clinical manager, but she is also an inspirational leader and a great role model. She is very attentive to her department and its needs. Her advocacy doesn’t go unrecognized as she is always looking out for what is best for her staff and her department. She treats her staff fairly and with respect. She goes out of her way to help staff in times of need. Many staff feel comfortable enough to go to her about their personal issues outside of work. She promotes self-growth among her employees. If a staff member is looking to grow professionally, Darby always looks for ways to assist them in achieving their goal. She is a caring and compassionate leader, who truthfully cares about her employees. She is always present and available at work and is always willing to help in the department when they are in need. I think Darby is a great leader and deserves to be recognized with this DAISY Nurse Leader Award.