When the Altadena fires forced the postponement of the Pediatric Nursing Symposium, Michelle didn’t hesitate to step in. While actively supporting the community—spending her own time and resources to help families who had lost everything—she also worked tirelessly to ensure the symposium stayed on track. She immediately coordinated a new date, revised the agenda, confirmed speakers, and adjusted logistics, ensuring that all the moving pieces came together smoothly despite the disruption. Her ability to balance both community service and professional commitments during such a challenging time speaks volumes about her dedication, resilience, and leadership.

Beyond her role in organizing major events, Michelle is also a mentor and a constant source of support. As I begin my PhD journey, she has been a guiding presence, sharing valuable insight from her experience completing her DNP. She takes time to check in, offer strategies, and provide encouragement when the demands of graduate school feel overwhelming. Michelle’s mentorship goes beyond academics—she genuinely cares about the personal and professional growth of her colleagues and fosters a supportive environment where others can thrive. Working alongside her on multiple projects has been an honor, and her kindness, wisdom, and generosity have made a lasting impact on me and everyone she collaborates with.

Michelle ensures that education is structured, relevant, and impactful by using data-driven strategies such as surveys and feedback to shape her programs. For this year's Pediatric Nursing Symposium, she brought her personal experience from past symposiums and gathered feedback from pediatric care providers at City of Hope. She used that feedback to refine the agenda and identify relevant speakers, ensuring it addressed key learning gaps. Post-event surveys confirmed the success of this approach, showing that attendees gained confidence in four key areas of pediatric cancer care and emergency preparedness.

She applies the same methodical approach to other initiatives, always working to improve education based on real-world feedback. She also prioritizes inclusion and collaboration across departments. Whether leading the pediatric crash cart study or integrating radiology nurses into perioperative training, she ensures that no one is left out of the conversation. She brings together diverse teams, encouraging cross-specialty education to strengthen overall patient care.

Michelle is solution-focused and adapts to challenges with transparency and efficiency. When adjustments are needed—whether to research protocols, program logistics, or continuing education opportunities—she works with the team to make informed changes. Her leadership is not just about managing projects; it is about building sustainable education and research efforts that directly improve nursing practice.