Lieutenant Commander Keyonica S. Lassiter exemplifies nursing leadership through her transformative impact on professional practice, advocacy, and mentorship. As Chief of Health Delivery Capabilities at the Defense Health Agency, she leads diverse interagency teams managing 75 projects across the Military Health System, directly enhancing access, equity, and readiness for service members, veterans, and their families. Her ability to amplify nursing voices in high-level decision-making ensures frontline perspectives shape solutions across the Department of Defense.

LCDR Lassiter’s leadership aligns with the Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being. Fostering connection and community by mentoring junior officers and coaching over 300 interagency staff, cultivating belonging and professional growth. She champions opportunities for nurses through national training programs, guiding DHA development of nursing training requirements and capability-building initiatives, expanding their roles in innovation, policy, and health systems delivery. Her work in behavioral health, HIV/AIDS care, and trauma-informed practices ensures dignity and meaning in clinical practice.

LCDR Lassiter’s national impact is both significant and far-reaching. She revitalized professional development opportunities for her staff by securing funding, facilitating attendance, and ensuring continuing education credits for key events, 15th Defense Health Information Technology Symposium, 32nd Military Health System Research Symposium, and 4th Artificial Intelligence for Defense Summit—marking her first participation in five years. Recognized subject matter expert, she empowers clinicians nationwide with essential tools and strategies to effectively serve vulnerable populations. LCDR Lassiter’s integrity, advocacy, and innovation elevate the nursing profession, inspire future leaders, and make her an outstanding recipient of the DAISYAward.