Susan Denunzio received multiple nominations from staff, MD, nurse leader, and colleagues:

1. It is with heartfelt admiration and deep respect that I nominate Susan DeNunzio for the DAISY Nurse Educator Award. Susan is the very embodiment of dedication, compassion, and excellence in nursing education. Her unwavering commitment to both the Emergency Department and the professional growth of our nurses has made her an indispensable part of our team’s foundation.

For over 20 years, Susan has been the guiding light for countless nurses entering the challenging world of emergency care. Through her thoughtful and structured training programs, she has not only equipped nurses with the technical knowledge they need but also instilled the confidence and critical thinking skills essential to thrive in such a high-stakes environment. Her talent for transforming complex clinical concepts into approachable, hands-on learning experiences has profoundly impacted every nurse she has mentored.

Susan’s dedication extends far beyond introductory training. She has developed and delivered advanced education in vital areas such as Trauma, Pediatrics, and Triage—empowering nurses to sharpen their expertise and elevate the standard of care for our most vulnerable patients. Her commitment to professional development is tireless: recognizing the importance of certification, she took it upon herself to find a resource that could bring study groups on-site to prepare ED nurses for both the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) exams. Her initiative and persistence have opened doors for many to grow and succeed in ways they never imagined.

But Susan’s influence is not confined to the classroom or training room. She plays a pivotal role in shaping and upholding nursing policies and procedures, ensuring that our department adheres to best practices and maintains the highest standards of care. She is often the first person her colleagues turn to when they need clarity, guidance, or simply a trusted voice of reason—and she always meets them with calm, kindness, and expertise.

What makes Susan truly extraordinary is the personal care and compassion she brings to every interaction. She sees the potential in each nurse, especially those who may be struggling, and offers unwavering support—never with judgment, always with encouragement. She makes time, even on her busiest days, to sit with them, listen, and help rebuild their confidence. It’s not uncommon to find her jumping in at the bedside to lend a hand or offer a quiet word of reassurance. That quiet presence speaks volumes.

Newer nurses regularly seek her out—for clinical insight, technical skills, or simply a moment of reassurance. She is respected not only for her knowledge but is deeply loved for her mentorship and warmth. Her dedication is tireless: she willingly comes in early or stays late to ensure students and new hires get the support they need. She never hesitates to step beyond her formal role when the department is busy, always ready to lend her time and talents to help her team.

Susan is the heart and soul of nursing education in our Emergency Department. Her impact is woven into the successes of so many nurses who now stand more confident, skilled, and compassionate because of her influence. This nomination is but a small token of the immense gratitude we feel. Susan doesn’t seek recognition, but there is no one more deserving.

She is a quiet, constant force for good—and the lives she’s touched speak louder than words ever could.

2. “Let me ask Susan,” said one nurse, as the trauma team of ED physicians and experienced nurses stared at the monitor, waiting for a blood pressure reading from the arterial line connected to the patient’s wrist. This past year, as part of a pilot project led by our ED leadership team, we introduced the use of arterial lines in our department. Susan was able to train the appropriate nurses on this new skill, getting everyone up to speed within just a month. It was a significant undertaking, and she led the effort with clarity, efficiency, and focus. This is just one example of the many roles Susan fills in our emergency department. She has played a central role in training and orienting hundreds of nurses, including both experienced hires and those new to the profession. She is a key contributor to our nurse residency program, which prepares dozens of new nurses each year for the pace and complexity of emergency medicine. In addition, Susan serves as the nursing lead for our informatics team. She consistently provides thoughtful, practical input to improve the electronic health record and streamline workflows for our nursing staff. On behalf of the emergency department physician leadership, I offer my strongest recommendation for Susan to receive this award. She is an exceptional educator and leader and continues to be an essential part of our department’s success.

3. I would like to nominate Susan Denunzio from the Emergency Department for The DAISY Nurse Educator award.

Susan has served as our ER Educator for many years, consistently going above and beyond—not only in her role as an educator, but as a hands-on presence and support during patient care on the floor. Her dedication doesn't end in the classroom or during scheduled in-services. She’s right there in the middle of trauma cases, guiding and teaching in real-time, often while assisting in the care of the patient herself. That kind of hands-on mentorship has shaped so many of the strong nurses.

One of the things that stands out about Susan is her calm approach, even in the most chaotic situations. She takes the time to explain, redirect, or assist, no matter how hectic the case is. You can feel her empathy—not just for the patients, but for the staff learning to navigate tough and most often sad events.

Susan has been the go-to person for updates, guidelines, and educational support throughout the entire DEM. When a policy changes or a new protocol rolls out, she’s already thought through how to make it digestible for the team. She shares information clearly and practically, always making sure we understand the “why,” not just the “what.” She listens to concerns and adapts her approach when needed for the betterment of the department.

Beyond her clinical knowledge, Susan models what it means to be a nurse who is passionate about ER nursing. She is the kind of educator that inspires growth, not by demanding perfection, but by walking alongside you, offering support, guiding, and teaching every step of the way.

Susan does not just teach, but she builds relationships and creates a top-notch ER training program. She is not only shaping better nurses, but she is helping shape a stronger, more resilient team.

For all these reasons and more, I believe Susan truly personifies what it means to be an extraordinary nurse educator. She deserves this recognition not just for what she teaches, but for how she guides and teaches the nurses—every single day.

4. What makes Susan extraordinary isn’t only her teaching ability and clinical expertise but her presence and her willingness to help. She is consistently visible on the floor and works side by side with the nurses, all the while building trust and confidence with the team. This style of hers offers real-time support, guidance, and encouragement. I have called her numerous times, along with so many others, for help, and her response is always “I’ll be right there.” Her immediate responsiveness is so impressive and respectable. Whether it's patient-related, clinical standard questions, or Orchid charting…we know who to call. Her passion and dedication to this department are palpable but often go unrecognized. She has the heart and embodies the very best of what a nursing educator can be.

Message from her supervisor:

It is with the deepest admiration, heartfelt gratitude, and true joy that we come together today to celebrate a woman whose contributions to nursing education and patient care have been nothing short of extraordinary—our very own Susan DeNunzio.

For more than two decades, Susan has been a guiding light for countless nurses stepping into the demanding and unpredictable world of emergency care. Her teaching has always gone far beyond skills and procedures. Through her thoughtful, structured programs, she has built confidence, strengthened critical thinking, and nurtured the resilience every emergency nurse needs. Her rare gift lies in making the most complex concepts approachable, while at the same time instilling in every nurse she touches the belief that they are capable, strong, and ready to thrive.

Susan’s impact has reached far beyond the classroom walls. She has designed advanced training in trauma, pediatrics, and triage; she has opened doors for nurses to pursue certifications like CEN and TCRN; and she has led the way in implementing new practices and technologies with clarity, efficiency, and compassion. At every step, she has made sure that nurses felt supported and capable of growing into their best selves.

And yet, Susan’s true legacy is not just in the skills or certifications she has helped others achieve. It is in the compassion and humanity she brings to her work each and every day. She has an incredible way of seeing the potential in every nurse—especially those who are struggling—and offering encouragement instead of judgment. She takes time, even on the busiest of days, to listen, to guide, and to gently rebuild confidence. Whether in the middle of a trauma or in a quiet moment of reassurance, Susan embodies the very heart of nursing: calm in crisis, kind in spirit, and unwavering in her support.

Ask anyone in this department, and they will tell you: Susan is the one they turn to. For guidance, for encouragement, for steady perspective. She is the person who shows up early, stays late, and never hesitates to stand shoulder to shoulder with her team. She is as present in moments of teaching as she is in moments of care.
Because of Susan, we are not only better nurses—we are a stronger, more resilient team. Her influence is woven into the successes and the confidence of so many who have been lifted by her mentorship. She has poured her heart into this work, often quietly and without seeking recognition. But today, we say clearly and with pride: there is no one more deserving.

Susan DeNunzio is, without question, the heart and soul of nursing education in our Emergency Department. Her steady, quiet strength has touched more lives than words could ever capture.

Susan, on behalf of your colleagues, your students, your leadership team, and all of the patients whose lives have been made better by the nurses you’ve trained—we thank you. Your legacy is not just in the lessons you’ve taught, but in the confidence you’ve inspired, the compassion you’ve modeled, and the excellence you’ve made possible.

Congratulations on this well-earned and deeply deserved recognition.