February 2026 Honoree
Ginny Hood, BSN, RN
The DAISY Nurse Leader Award recognizes nurse leaders who create environments where compassionate care can thrive—leaders who advocate for their teams, communicate transparently, and lead with integrity, kindness, and heart. Our next honoree exemplifies these qualities through steady leadership and a deep commitment to staff and patients.
Ginny Hood consistently demonstrates the highest standards of nurse leadership by fostering a culture of trust, compassion, and mutual respect. She models ethical behavior in every interaction, ensuring team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
Ginny is an unwavering advocate for her team. She successfully obtained additional staffing following increased call volume after the closure of the National Capital Poison Center and pursued ergonomic improvements to support team members who spend long hours on the phone.
She is highly accessible and responsive, whether addressing staffing challenges or supporting team members through personal crises. During a difficult period in my own life, Ginny provided unwavering support—helping me navigate leave options and checking in regularly. Her transparency, advocacy, and compassion made our team stronger and more resilient.
In her first 18 months as nurse manager, Ginny has taken the time to get to know each member of our department. She visits the unit regularly, remains readily available, and consistently checks in on both challenges and successes.
Our team staffs a 24/7 emergency help line with more than 150 daily calls, in addition to follow-ups. Ginny provides clear guidance and support in this demanding environment and advocated for meaningful improvements, including ergonomic chairs, a remote work policy for non-certified staff, and protected education time. Her perseverance brought these initiatives to life, directly improving wellbeing and operational resilience.
Although she had no prior poison center experience, Ginny fully immersed herself in understanding our work—shadowing, asking thoughtful questions, and learning the unique demands of our roles.
Ginny’s advocacy, accessibility, and compassion strengthened our department and enhanced the care we provide across the Commonwealth. She is truly deserving of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
Ginny Hood consistently demonstrates the highest standards of nurse leadership by fostering a culture of trust, compassion, and mutual respect. She models ethical behavior in every interaction, ensuring team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
Ginny is an unwavering advocate for her team. She successfully obtained additional staffing following increased call volume after the closure of the National Capital Poison Center and pursued ergonomic improvements to support team members who spend long hours on the phone.
She is highly accessible and responsive, whether addressing staffing challenges or supporting team members through personal crises. During a difficult period in my own life, Ginny provided unwavering support—helping me navigate leave options and checking in regularly. Her transparency, advocacy, and compassion made our team stronger and more resilient.
In her first 18 months as nurse manager, Ginny has taken the time to get to know each member of our department. She visits the unit regularly, remains readily available, and consistently checks in on both challenges and successes.
Our team staffs a 24/7 emergency help line with more than 150 daily calls, in addition to follow-ups. Ginny provides clear guidance and support in this demanding environment and advocated for meaningful improvements, including ergonomic chairs, a remote work policy for non-certified staff, and protected education time. Her perseverance brought these initiatives to life, directly improving wellbeing and operational resilience.
Although she had no prior poison center experience, Ginny fully immersed herself in understanding our work—shadowing, asking thoughtful questions, and learning the unique demands of our roles.
Ginny’s advocacy, accessibility, and compassion strengthened our department and enhanced the care we provide across the Commonwealth. She is truly deserving of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
Thank you, Ginny, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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