The nominee advances the profession as a dual certified, DNP prepared, published RN leader with > 30 years of RN experience. He advances teammate healing by supporting the implementation of a well-being committee for all hospital teammates, which results in increased well-being scores. As the first RN to serve as Chair of the AHA Committee on Clinical Leadership, he spearheaded efforts to advocate for nursing and influence CMS policies and regulations. He advocated to prevent workplace violence by creating forums and resources to guide and support healthcare providers in prosecuting assaulters. RNs are now accompanied by leaders to court proceedings, if desired, and paid for this time.

The nominee helped create an exercise physiologist role and a MNA role to provide additional employment and offload for RNs resulting in >$1 million in cost savings. The nominee is devoted to improving the health of elderly people by assigning his NICHE coordinator the task of implementing the 4Ms at his hospital, which has resulted in a reduction in ALOS by 6 days and an improvement in falls. This work is currently spreading to other units. Because of his support his hospital earned Level 2 Age-Friendly Health Systems Award in 2023.

His efforts to promote psychological health resulted in the formation of a Nursing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) internal support council. He sponsored a DEI simulation for more than 100 nurses to promote cultural sensitivity for diverse populations. This simulation is now offered virtually every quarter. He also sponsored a movie night for nurses to watch a film on diversity and inclusion in nursing with an included open dialogue session regarding racism, sexism, etc. to uncover and begin the healings for all. Additionally, in 2021, he played a pivotal role in the creation of a new local chapter of the National Black Nurses Association to give voice and engage black nurses in his region.

As a servant leader, periodically throughout the year, this leader serves sweet treats to teammates at his hospital. He sets up a cart early in the morning to personally thank staff for their service. He supported and donated shoes for a “Shoes That Fit” campaign to supply name-brand shoes to kids at a local middle school to build confidence and self-esteem. In 2024, this campaign exceeded goals by providing double the amount it set out to donate. The nominee constantly builds others around him. An RN that he declined a promotion for, credits the nominee for guiding her to find a career path that better suited her abilities and passion. This RN is now an international conference speaker working in a corporate nursing role.

As an RN leader, he advocated and successfully acquired an increase in educational funding provided to teammates for continuing education purposes and degree advancement. This resulted in > 8% increase in RN BSN or higher degrees and > 30% increase in RN certification rates. The nominee helped create a President of Nursing Staff role to give voice to clinical nurses which has resulted in improved engagement and RN satisfaction. He hosts “Suits Meets Scrubs” in which he takes a day out of the office to put on scrubs and work with RNs at the bedside. He is intentional in helping identify ways to support RNs and improve efficiency. His open-door practice builds relationships with anyone he encounters.

Many RNs credit their career success to his nurturing and compassionate approach. He restructured the RN Support team and aggregated service lines, resulting in improved RN Sensitive Indicator outcomes and an 80% decrease in OR wait times. Appraisers of the 2023 Magnet Site Visit commended his practice as an exemplar, naming him a “visible leader” based on repeated themes provided by teammates.

Lastly, the nominee walked an RN down the aisle of her wedding after the unexpected sudden death of her father. He also led his team in packing backpacks with food for ancillary teammates in need. In short, Robert lives the Atrium mission and is a true DAISY Nurse Leader.