Some leaders create policies, others build teams, but the truly exceptional ones leave a lasting impact on the people they mentor, shaping careers and transforming units through their leadership, dedication, and unwavering support. Khalid is one of those rare leaders.

When I was first assigned to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Khalid was there not just as a manager, but as a mentor, a guide, and a role model. He didn't just introduce me to the unit; he took the time to walk me through the systems, workflows, and expectations he had meticulously established. But more than that, he made sure I understood the culture of teamwork, fairness, and mutual respect that defined the PICU under his leadership.

Slowly, through his guidance and constant encouragement, I started to find my footing. What once felt intimidating and foreign became familiar and manageable. I began to see the patterns, understand the workflows, and, most importantly, develop the confidence to lead. The PICU, which once felt like unknown territory, became a place where I could thrive. When the time came for me to take over the unit, the transition was seamless. The staff didn’t feel a difference, not because I was identical to him, but because he had built a strong, structured, and fair foundation that continued even in his absence. That is the mark of a true leader, someone who doesn’t just lead but builds something that lasts.

There was a defining moment that truly showcased Khalid’s leadership, one that I will never forget. While he was mentoring me on the clinical side of PICU care, a patient suddenly went into cardiac arrest. In an instant, chaos could have taken over, but before anyone could even react, Khalid put on his gloves and stepped in alongside the team. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t stand back and direct. He started chest compressions himself, becoming part of the core resuscitation team. At that moment, he wasn’t just a leader; he was one of us. His presence at the bedside, actively working to save a life, sent a powerful message: Leadership isn’t about titles, it's about standing beside your team, especially in the toughest moments.

The staff didn’t just follow him because he was the head nurse; they trusted him, respected him, and believed in him. That trust, that sense of unity, is something I have carried forward in my own practice. Beyond clinical mentorship, Khalid played a crucial role in my assignment. When I turned to Khalid for guidance, he didn’t just give me the answers; he showed me how to think strategically. One of his most impactful contributions was introducing a float system between PICU and CSICU. Khalid implemented a structured float system, allowing trained ICU nurses to seamlessly transition between the two units. The result? Optimised staffing coverage and significantly decreased overtime.

Another moment that stood out to me was when Khalid encouraged me to implement a documented huddle system in the PICU. Khalid is an expert with empathy, strategy with compassion, and leadership with teamwork, which makes him truly deserving of the DAISY Award.

His dedication to ICU patients—whether in PICU or CSICU—never stops. His leadership doesn’t waver in times of crisis, and his mentorship doesn’t end when his shift does. He has shaped not only the structure of the ICU but also the people who work within it, myself included.