Denise Hodges, RN has been with ECU Health for over 20 years. She is currently the nurse supervisor at ECU Health Internal Medicine in Washington, NC. Denise embodies all the great qualities of a leader such as her commitment to excellence, passion for her work, trustworthiness, approachability, empathy, caring and a commitment to mentoring and developing staff. Being a leader for Denise is more than a title or role, it's not forgetting those early days when she was a brand-new nurse on the floor and remembering those past nurses who took her in hand and helped her become the nurse she is today. It's also about being physically part of the team and jumping in to help her team no matter the task. Denise keeps a pulse on her team without micromanaging. She often remembers the smallest details of each individual on her team. She recognizes her team and the work they do for patients and families by cultivating and setting a culture where compassion is valued. Because of this, her team returns her support and compassion by their willingness to come to fill-in when there is a staff shortage (even on weekends). Behind the scenes, Denise is down to earth, funny, and like a warm cup of cocoa rolled up into one. She makes you want to sit down a while and bask in her warmth.