"Some leaders are born, others are made," aptly describes this leader who naturally embodies the qualities that define transformational leadership. His ability to inspire, influence, and elevate those around him is unmatched. This leader leads not only with integrity and vision, but with a contagious sense of humor that allows him to deliver feedback with grace and respect, creating a culture of trust and collaboration.

What makes this leader truly extraordinary? It is this leader's genuine love and support for his team. He fosters an environment of psychological safety, mutual respect, and empowerment. He is the kind of leader who shows up—not just in times of celebration, but especially in times of need. His leadership is marked by actions that go beyond the call of duty, such as traveling to Pasadena to visit the father of an employee who was hospitalized to coordinating the “Bark in the Park” event for ICU staff. Staff describe him as their biggest cheerleader, a coach, mentor, and advocate. Thanks to his encouragement, many ICU nurses have pursued advanced degrees—DNPs, NPs, MSNs—while remaining at the bedside because of their love for the team and this leader's inspirational leadership.

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Juanito "JO" Medina, the Adult Inpatient Director at Ontario Medical Center, has been a cornerstone of the organization since its inception. Often joking that he "came with the furniture," JO has been integral to the center's development from the early planning stages to today's complex leadership environment. His journey in nursing began in 1980, earning his bachelor's degree in the Philippines and later completing his Nurse Practitioner degree at USC. Returning to the ICU in 2017, he brought with him not just experience, but wisdom, humility, and a deep-rooted commitment to excellence. Over the years, he has worn many hats—educator, quality lead, manager, director—and in each role, he has left a lasting impact.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, this leadership was pivotal. He led OMC’s participation in the Telemonitoring TCC project, addressing the overwhelming shortage of providers while ensuring continuous, high-quality patient care. He also spearheaded the manual proning initiative in the ICU, eliminating the need for costly Rotoprone beds and saving the organization millions—all while improving patient outcomes. Under his leadership, the ICU Unit-Based Team (UBT) has consistently maintained a Level 5 status, achieving over two years without a CLABSI and six consecutive quarters outperforming in HAPI prevention. His work in affordability initiatives and service recovery has directly contributed to high patient and staff satisfaction scores. He is attuned to team dynamics and continuously monitors People Pulse data to drive engagement and retention.

JO's energy and dedication are unparalleled. Speaking about energy, we are all convinced – he does not sleep. Ever! We find empty coffee cups in every meeting room, office, and unit—his little calling cards. You know he’s been there. You know he’s working. Despite the demanding nature of his role, he finds time to mentor future leaders, guide performance improvement efforts, and offer thoughtful support to anyone in need. His superpower lies in building teams, coaching, mentoring, and developing leaders across the organization. His leadership style is characterized by empowerment, motivating with a clear vision, fostering collaboration, and respecting both the mission and the individuals who carry it out.
 
JO Medina's DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award is not just a reflection of his accomplishments but a testament to who he is—a leader who leads from the front, supports from the side, and lifts from behind. 

Congratulations, JO, and thank you for showing us what sustainable, compassionate leadership looks like in action.