March 2026 Honoree
Sorcele Apolinario, BSN, RN, CNML
Over the past year I have had the opportunity to watch Sisi firsthand grow in leadership acumen as a manager. While she has strong and continually growing understanding of the operational side of her unit, it's the growth in her relationship with staff that has had the lasting impact on me.
The Cardiac Unit and CICU have undergone and will continue to undergo rapid changes with the advancement of the heart institute. With this, there has been the implementation of new clinical processes and procedures that require an advancement of skill sets and culture changes within the unit, requiring her to navigate her staff and the medical leadership team. She consistently ensures the support of her staff on both shifts and advocates on their behalf.
One recent example that can be translated to many others was with a recent emergent ECMO patient that was being transferred from an outside hospital on nightshift. While the OA was securing resources for this patient on the back end, Sisi came in during the middle of the night for several hours to assist and support the unit in every way possible, including assisting with the rapid initiation of ECMO at 0200 am.
Her support and presence were not only felt by her staff but also to the medical team on during the night. As Dr. Katz said in his e-recognition of her "She demonstrated exceptional leadership and grace, but most importantly, she showed up when the unit and team needed her most." This could not have been said better.
Sisi, I cannot thank you enough for always putting your staff and patients first.
The Cardiac Unit and CICU have undergone and will continue to undergo rapid changes with the advancement of the heart institute. With this, there has been the implementation of new clinical processes and procedures that require an advancement of skill sets and culture changes within the unit, requiring her to navigate her staff and the medical leadership team. She consistently ensures the support of her staff on both shifts and advocates on their behalf.
One recent example that can be translated to many others was with a recent emergent ECMO patient that was being transferred from an outside hospital on nightshift. While the OA was securing resources for this patient on the back end, Sisi came in during the middle of the night for several hours to assist and support the unit in every way possible, including assisting with the rapid initiation of ECMO at 0200 am.
Her support and presence were not only felt by her staff but also to the medical team on during the night. As Dr. Katz said in his e-recognition of her "She demonstrated exceptional leadership and grace, but most importantly, she showed up when the unit and team needed her most." This could not have been said better.
Sisi, I cannot thank you enough for always putting your staff and patients first.
Thank you, Sorcele, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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