It is with great enthusiasm that the nurses in urgent care at the Montrose and Castle Point campuses put forth the nomination of Diane Denisse Delgado, our esteemed nurse manager, for the prestigious DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Her commitment, exceptional leadership, and unwavering dedication to healthcare excellence are truly commendable. Ms. Delgado is not just a leader and clinician of the highest caliber, but also a skilled, capable, and empathetic team player who sets the bar high for integrity. She is a champion for veterans, families, and staff,  always striving to do what's best for all. Her positive outlook and collaborative approach make her a beacon of inspiration. She is a lifelong learner, constantly expanding her knowledge, and a mentor to others, guiding us towards our professional goals.

Ms. Delgado has worked in the VA for ten years. She has been our manager at Hudson Valley, VA, for two years and will graduate soon with her DNP in management. We recognized her as an expert in healthcare operations, case management, and staff leadership. Every nurse on the urgent care team regards Ms. Delgado as an exceptional professional whose calming demeanor makes her easy to talk to. As our manager, she is committed to implementing and engaging in clinical and interrelated research to improve our service to veterans and families. She has made contributions to identifying high-risk veterans and staffing ratios. She also devotes time to the most reliable data and disseminates the information through daily huddles or monthly staff meetings.  She demonstrates exceptional leadership by devising effective solutions, fostering a positive workplace, and delivering excellent results for both veterans and nursing staff. Her work has yielded staff appreciation. She also served as a veteran spokesperson, identifying suitable staffing work schedules in collaboration with self-scheduling, discussing veterans’ healthcare needs, and relaying schedule changes to urgent care staff members.

Most significantly, Ms. Denisse is a caring and enthusiastic individual. She portrays herself as an expert in care who prioritizes patient care and staff. Her theory of connection to veteran care and the medical team frequently regards her as a critical individual who aids staff in engaging families with a multidisciplinary team approach while caring for veterans' delicate mental and physical health needs. Her excellent interpersonal skills matched with her humor and abilities, have made urgent care on both campuses a favorite. It is a pleasure and joy to work with such a fantastic individual.

Denisse Delgado's nomination for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award is not just a recognition of her exceptional efforts, but also a testament to the respect and admiration she has earned from the people she serves. As our manager, she has been a source of inspiration and motivation, always driven to serve. We, the Montrose & Castle Point Urgent Care nurses' team, wholeheartedly endorse her for this prestigious award, confident that she is a deserving candidate.