This past winter, our Emergency Department endured one of the most intense flu seasons we've ever seen. Our small unit was consistently holding 5 to 10 above capacity admitted patients while also experiencing unusually high daily volumes—often exceeding 10 patients just in the surge areas. There were days when we had patients in triage, in hallways, and even in lobby chairs being seen, treated, and discharged. In the face of this chaos, our nurse manager never flinched. Jennifer Efird was there—on the floor, shoulder to shoulder with the team. Jennifer didn't manage from behind a desk. She managed from within the trenches. Whether it was coordinating patient flow, helping triage, or physically moving stretchers, Jennifer showed up and stayed present. Jennifer brought in lunch for the team on our toughest days, ordered rental hospital beds from home to ensure patients had what they needed, and answered calls at all hours—sometimes well into the night. Despite overwhelming demands, Jennifer never lost sight of her leadership responsibilities. Jennifer came in early and stayed late. Jennifer still found time to complete office duties, follow up on charting, and review patient records daily to ensure timely and appropriate care. Jennifer’s presence pulled everyone together. What sets Jennifer apart is that her leadership isn't just reactive—it's proactive, compassionate, and deeply human. Jennifer anticipates needs before they arise, advocates fiercely for her team, and models the kind of integrity, commitment, and empathy we all strive for. Jennifer is the heart of our department. She is not just a leader— Jennifer is OUR leader. And we are better nurses, a stronger team, and a safer department because of Jennifer