Laurie Duchamp
August 2025
Laurie
Duchamp
,
RN, BSN, BHA, MHA
St. Anthony's Hospital
St. Anthony's Hospital, part of BayCare Health System
St. Petersburg
,
FL
United States
Her compassion and understanding have made me a better manager and instilled in me the importance of leading with empathy, patience, and a deep respect for the individuals I work with. Laurie’s commitment to her team, nurturing nature, and ability to foster growth in others are a testament to her outstanding leadership.
I proudly nominate Laurie Duchamp, Director of Nursing, for the DAISY Award. Laurie’s leadership has shaped the nursing department at St. Anthony’s Hospital and profoundly impacted my professional journey. When I was allowed to step into the role of Manager of the Emergency Department, Laurie took a chance on me with such a large department. She believed in my potential and stepped up to mentor me. Her unwavering support and empathetic approach allowed me the freedom and autonomy to explore and develop my own management style. Laurie’s mentorship has been a beacon of guidance throughout my journey. She never imposed rigid rules but instead created an environment where I could experiment, make mistakes, and ultimately grow into the leader I am today. Her compassion and understanding have made me a better manager and instilled in me the importance of leading with empathy, patience, and a deep respect for the individuals I work with. Laurie’s commitment to her team, nurturing nature, and ability to foster growth in others are a testament to her outstanding leadership. She exemplifies what it means to lead with heart, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside her. Laurie’s impact reaches far beyond her roles—she has shaped countless careers, and I am one of many who have been fortunate enough to benefit from having her as my leader.
***
With great respect and gratitude, I nominate Laurie Duchamp, the Director of Nursing at St. Anthony’s Hospital, for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. I was fortunate enough to work under her leadership throughout my early journey as a nurse manager. Her unwavering support, mentorship, and guidance helped me thrive when uncertain and overwhelmed. She is not just a director of nursing, but a compassionate and insightful leader whose impact resonates deeply with those who have had the privilege of working with her. I was filled with excitement, nervousness, and apprehension when I first entered the nurse manager role. I knew I had a passion for patient care, but the responsibilities of managing a team, navigating complex systems, and making critical decisions were daunting. During this period of uncertainty, Laurie offered a steady hand, providing me with practical advice and emotional support that helped me grow into my role. Laurie's approachability and ability to lead with empathy set her apart from other leaders. Instead of simply giving directives, she took the time to listen to my concerns and helped me solve problems. Her mentorship was never a one-size-fits-all approach; she understood that each situation required thoughtful consideration and that each individual, including me, had unique strengths and growth areas. Her feedback was always constructive and delivered with a sense of encouragement that made me feel empowered, not discouraged. Beyond her guidance in critical situations, Laurie showed me the importance of nurturing a supportive, collaborative work environment. She emphasized the significance of open communication and mutual respect within the nursing team and modeled these values consistently. Her leadership was never about commanding from above; instead, it was about fostering an inclusive culture where everyone felt valued and heard. This has shaped how I lead today, always striving to create an atmosphere where collaboration and trust can flourish. In reflecting on the many ways that Laurie has impacted my career, it is clear that she is an exceptional Director of Nursing and a true mentor and advocate for her staff. Her leadership extends far beyond the operational success of the department; it touches the lives of everyone she works with, inspiring growth, resilience, and compassion. Her influence has shaped how I approach leadership and patient care, and I am not the only one who has benefited from her guidance. Countless others in our nursing team owe their success and growth to her tireless efforts. I believe that Laurie is a deserving candidate for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award for all of these reasons and more. Her dedication to nursing, her unwavering commitment to her team, and her deep compassion for patients and staff exemplify the qualities of an extraordinary leader. She has not only helped shape my career but has made a lasting impact on the entire nursing community; for that, we are all truly grateful.
***
Laurie Duchamp is more than deserving of a DAISY Nurse Leader Award! So many stories could be shared; however, one in particular still brings tears to my eyes: A few years ago, we had a patient who was frequently admitted to our ICU. The patient and his wife quickly grew close to our ICU team—this couple truly had our hearts. Anticipation was building as he moved closer and closer to what looked to be his final surgery, per the surgeon. When the day arrived, the surgeon canceled surgery at the very last minute, leaving the patient, his wife, and our team in tears. I reached out to Laurie, who knew this case well. She listened to the wife’s concerns with me and his primary MD. She then left our meeting and either marched into surgery to find the surgeon or was able to connect with him on the phone. When she returned to the patient’s bedside, the surgery was ON! Laurie arranged for the surgeon’s partner to do the surgery that afternoon! She was indeed our hero, and we will never forget her for going above and beyond for us all.
***
Even though I am new to the SAH leadership team, from my first interaction with Laurie, I knew she was an exceptional leader. I have been with BayCare for many years and have had many different leaders, and though many were outstanding, Laurie is the “icing on the cake” to me. She is consistently present, available, kind, and approachable, and is certainly well-loved by many here at SAH. During the last two devastating hurricanes, Laurie went above and beyond and showed how big a heart she has. Laurie reached out to her team, checking on us and offering to help however she could. She even offered to do some of my laundry as we were flooded and all our clothes and bedding needed to be re-washed from the flood waters. One of my team members was greatly affected by Hurricane Helene. While she was at the hospital working, her home was being destroyed by the savage winds and waters this hurricane brought on. She not only suffered substantial damage to her house, but she also lost her car, personal belongings, furniture, appliances, and had to uproot her five children and husband to move into a hotel along with her mother. I was trying to gather some items for this team member and had briefly mentioned this to Laurie. About a week later, I was meeting with this team member and asked her how she and her family were doing. She told me they were getting by and just trying to figure out how they would replace everything. She told me that Laurie had reached out to her and given her an entire queen-size bedroom set with the mattress, bedding, and a dining room table. She was also going to arrange for it to be delivered to her!! Her kindness and generosity touched my heart. In all my conversations with Laurie, she never mentioned what she did for my team members. Laurie did not do this for any recognition or personal gain; she did this because of who she is. She is not only an outstanding leader, but she is also a wonderful human being who deserves this award.
***
One of my favorite stories about Laurie is from my AOD days during COVID. Staffing was terrible one Sunday, and the teams felt down and burned out. Laurie called to check in, and when I told her about the staffing situation, she asked if she could do anything. When I told her it would mean the world to the teams to see her, she said, "I'll put my shoes and scrubs on and I'll be right in." She came in, happily, on a Sunday to round on all the teams and to help with whatever she could. Laurie is always willing to go above and beyond. I've seen her turn the most difficult patients into ooey-gooey butter, personally deliver patient belongings and medications left behind to their homes, and fearlessly lead her teams. "That's not my job" is never in her vocabulary, and her support has been priceless.
***
There was a PCT who wanted to get into the Nursing program. Laurie took this PCT under her wing. Laurie scheduled Weekly interviews to teach her how to answer questions in an interview. Laurie had 4 or 5 Managers come down to the Nursing administration and sit at a conference table. We all asked her interview questions. We also helped her increase her confidence. After 4 or 5 weeks, Laurie brought clothes in for her to wear for her Interview. She is now a Registered Nurse on PCU. Laurie has changed her life, and her children's lives will be extraordinary because she can provide for them and be a successful role model for them. Thank you, Laurie, for being such a caring and wonderful person!
***
With great respect and gratitude, I nominate Laurie Duchamp, the Director of Nursing at St. Anthony’s Hospital, for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. I was fortunate enough to work under her leadership throughout my early journey as a nurse manager. Her unwavering support, mentorship, and guidance helped me thrive when uncertain and overwhelmed. She is not just a director of nursing, but a compassionate and insightful leader whose impact resonates deeply with those who have had the privilege of working with her. I was filled with excitement, nervousness, and apprehension when I first entered the nurse manager role. I knew I had a passion for patient care, but the responsibilities of managing a team, navigating complex systems, and making critical decisions were daunting. During this period of uncertainty, Laurie offered a steady hand, providing me with practical advice and emotional support that helped me grow into my role. Laurie's approachability and ability to lead with empathy set her apart from other leaders. Instead of simply giving directives, she took the time to listen to my concerns and helped me solve problems. Her mentorship was never a one-size-fits-all approach; she understood that each situation required thoughtful consideration and that each individual, including me, had unique strengths and growth areas. Her feedback was always constructive and delivered with a sense of encouragement that made me feel empowered, not discouraged. Beyond her guidance in critical situations, Laurie showed me the importance of nurturing a supportive, collaborative work environment. She emphasized the significance of open communication and mutual respect within the nursing team and modeled these values consistently. Her leadership was never about commanding from above; instead, it was about fostering an inclusive culture where everyone felt valued and heard. This has shaped how I lead today, always striving to create an atmosphere where collaboration and trust can flourish. In reflecting on the many ways that Laurie has impacted my career, it is clear that she is an exceptional Director of Nursing and a true mentor and advocate for her staff. Her leadership extends far beyond the operational success of the department; it touches the lives of everyone she works with, inspiring growth, resilience, and compassion. Her influence has shaped how I approach leadership and patient care, and I am not the only one who has benefited from her guidance. Countless others in our nursing team owe their success and growth to her tireless efforts. I believe that Laurie is a deserving candidate for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award for all of these reasons and more. Her dedication to nursing, her unwavering commitment to her team, and her deep compassion for patients and staff exemplify the qualities of an extraordinary leader. She has not only helped shape my career but has made a lasting impact on the entire nursing community; for that, we are all truly grateful.
***
Laurie Duchamp is more than deserving of a DAISY Nurse Leader Award! So many stories could be shared; however, one in particular still brings tears to my eyes: A few years ago, we had a patient who was frequently admitted to our ICU. The patient and his wife quickly grew close to our ICU team—this couple truly had our hearts. Anticipation was building as he moved closer and closer to what looked to be his final surgery, per the surgeon. When the day arrived, the surgeon canceled surgery at the very last minute, leaving the patient, his wife, and our team in tears. I reached out to Laurie, who knew this case well. She listened to the wife’s concerns with me and his primary MD. She then left our meeting and either marched into surgery to find the surgeon or was able to connect with him on the phone. When she returned to the patient’s bedside, the surgery was ON! Laurie arranged for the surgeon’s partner to do the surgery that afternoon! She was indeed our hero, and we will never forget her for going above and beyond for us all.
***
Even though I am new to the SAH leadership team, from my first interaction with Laurie, I knew she was an exceptional leader. I have been with BayCare for many years and have had many different leaders, and though many were outstanding, Laurie is the “icing on the cake” to me. She is consistently present, available, kind, and approachable, and is certainly well-loved by many here at SAH. During the last two devastating hurricanes, Laurie went above and beyond and showed how big a heart she has. Laurie reached out to her team, checking on us and offering to help however she could. She even offered to do some of my laundry as we were flooded and all our clothes and bedding needed to be re-washed from the flood waters. One of my team members was greatly affected by Hurricane Helene. While she was at the hospital working, her home was being destroyed by the savage winds and waters this hurricane brought on. She not only suffered substantial damage to her house, but she also lost her car, personal belongings, furniture, appliances, and had to uproot her five children and husband to move into a hotel along with her mother. I was trying to gather some items for this team member and had briefly mentioned this to Laurie. About a week later, I was meeting with this team member and asked her how she and her family were doing. She told me they were getting by and just trying to figure out how they would replace everything. She told me that Laurie had reached out to her and given her an entire queen-size bedroom set with the mattress, bedding, and a dining room table. She was also going to arrange for it to be delivered to her!! Her kindness and generosity touched my heart. In all my conversations with Laurie, she never mentioned what she did for my team members. Laurie did not do this for any recognition or personal gain; she did this because of who she is. She is not only an outstanding leader, but she is also a wonderful human being who deserves this award.
***
One of my favorite stories about Laurie is from my AOD days during COVID. Staffing was terrible one Sunday, and the teams felt down and burned out. Laurie called to check in, and when I told her about the staffing situation, she asked if she could do anything. When I told her it would mean the world to the teams to see her, she said, "I'll put my shoes and scrubs on and I'll be right in." She came in, happily, on a Sunday to round on all the teams and to help with whatever she could. Laurie is always willing to go above and beyond. I've seen her turn the most difficult patients into ooey-gooey butter, personally deliver patient belongings and medications left behind to their homes, and fearlessly lead her teams. "That's not my job" is never in her vocabulary, and her support has been priceless.
***
There was a PCT who wanted to get into the Nursing program. Laurie took this PCT under her wing. Laurie scheduled Weekly interviews to teach her how to answer questions in an interview. Laurie had 4 or 5 Managers come down to the Nursing administration and sit at a conference table. We all asked her interview questions. We also helped her increase her confidence. After 4 or 5 weeks, Laurie brought clothes in for her to wear for her Interview. She is now a Registered Nurse on PCU. Laurie has changed her life, and her children's lives will be extraordinary because she can provide for them and be a successful role model for them. Thank you, Laurie, for being such a caring and wonderful person!