May 2025
Courtney
Trace
,
MSN, RN, CPHON
4 Inpatient and Outpatient Heme/Onc
Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
Hollywood
,
FL
United States
The situation was further complicated by challenges with the family, yet through it all, Courtney remained the unwavering advocate for both the patient and the staff. The complexity of the situation required Courtney to work closely with multiple departments, including security, legal, unit directors, the chief nursing officer, the medical director, physicians, and the court system, to name just a few.
Courtney exemplifies the qualities of a strong, compassionate, and dedicated leader. She tirelessly advocates for the safety and well-being of patients, staff, and the hospital, even during the most challenging times. Recently, our team faced an incredibly difficult situation involving a patient who sadly passed away. The situation was further complicated by challenges with the family, yet through it all, Courtney remained the unwavering advocate for both the patient and the staff. The complexity of the situation required Courtney to work closely with multiple departments, including security, legal, unit directors, the chief nursing officer, the medical director, physicians, and the court system, to name just a few.
Despite these challenges, Courtney’s commitment to doing what was right never wavered. As our social worker put it, “Courtney remained steadfast throughout the entire process. She handled every aspect with compassion for both the patient and the staff. She understands the emotional toll this work can take and constantly reminds us of the importance of self-care. The comfort and ease with which staff can approach her speaks volumes about her leadership style.”
One of our Palliative Care doctors shared, “Courtney has been an invaluable leader at JDCH. She goes above and beyond for our patients, their families, and her staff. She continuously ensures her team members have the time and space they need to process their emotions and, at times, their grief. Her door is always open, and it’s incredibly reassuring to know that we have a leader like Courtney by our side.”
Advocacy and zeal. Few embody those leadership qualities more fully than Courtney. She singularly energizes any meeting and positively affects the human experience for both team members, peers, and patients/families in her departments and throughout JDCH. Courtney connects with all of us deeply, consistently focuses on ‘the right thing to do,’ and infuses those values within the culture of her team and clinical leaders. Integrity is her guiding light, coupled with an exceptional breadth of knowledge and a fierce attention to quality and safety.
Over the last year, Courtney and her team faced a uniquely sensitive and, at the same time, intense patient situation. The department cared for a teen patient who is trying to survive not just a cancer diagnosis but also a difficult family situation. The patient’s primary caregiver did not prioritize her medical needs and was not participating in care.
Appointments were missed, medications not administered, and eventually, as we all feared, the patient relapsed. Once re-admitted, the patient’s caregiver threatened nursing and medical staff, interfered with the patient’s care, and delayed needed interventions. All the while, the patient’s condition worsened. Courtney’s concern for the patient’s quality of life and strong commitment to a safe environment for the team centered Courtney’s decisive response and motivated her advocacy.
Guided by Courtney, a safety plan was developed, and an exceptional coordination of efforts was mobilized to address the patient’s medical, social, and safety needs. Courtney communicated, emailed, EPIC chatted, whispered, or yelled – whatever it took - to carve a much-needed path for the patient’s care on the unit and post-discharge.
Courtney led the way for her team. She was a catalyst for action and patient advocacy, partnering with others for crucial conversations with the caregiver, gently encouraging the patient not to give up, and empowering the team with solutions to best manage the incredibly challenging situation. Courtney was tireless in her dedication to giving voice to the patient when she most needed it and was consistently present to her team, who deeply needed to feel safe and secure. She did it all – no one dare stand in her way.
In true servant leader fashion, if you asked Courtney today, she may simply say she just did what she knew was right. She truly believes that. This is just one meaningful example of many in the leadership force, that is Courtney. For those of us who are witness to her unyielding passion to identify issues and seek out solutions – no matter how hard; for those of us who cheer her on for the profound impact she makes every day; for those of us who seek her wise counsel – she is our Courtney: A most effective, generous, and inspired nurse leader at JDCH. She deserves all the accolades and gratitude from all of us.
Despite these challenges, Courtney’s commitment to doing what was right never wavered. As our social worker put it, “Courtney remained steadfast throughout the entire process. She handled every aspect with compassion for both the patient and the staff. She understands the emotional toll this work can take and constantly reminds us of the importance of self-care. The comfort and ease with which staff can approach her speaks volumes about her leadership style.”
One of our Palliative Care doctors shared, “Courtney has been an invaluable leader at JDCH. She goes above and beyond for our patients, their families, and her staff. She continuously ensures her team members have the time and space they need to process their emotions and, at times, their grief. Her door is always open, and it’s incredibly reassuring to know that we have a leader like Courtney by our side.”
Advocacy and zeal. Few embody those leadership qualities more fully than Courtney. She singularly energizes any meeting and positively affects the human experience for both team members, peers, and patients/families in her departments and throughout JDCH. Courtney connects with all of us deeply, consistently focuses on ‘the right thing to do,’ and infuses those values within the culture of her team and clinical leaders. Integrity is her guiding light, coupled with an exceptional breadth of knowledge and a fierce attention to quality and safety.
Over the last year, Courtney and her team faced a uniquely sensitive and, at the same time, intense patient situation. The department cared for a teen patient who is trying to survive not just a cancer diagnosis but also a difficult family situation. The patient’s primary caregiver did not prioritize her medical needs and was not participating in care.
Appointments were missed, medications not administered, and eventually, as we all feared, the patient relapsed. Once re-admitted, the patient’s caregiver threatened nursing and medical staff, interfered with the patient’s care, and delayed needed interventions. All the while, the patient’s condition worsened. Courtney’s concern for the patient’s quality of life and strong commitment to a safe environment for the team centered Courtney’s decisive response and motivated her advocacy.
Guided by Courtney, a safety plan was developed, and an exceptional coordination of efforts was mobilized to address the patient’s medical, social, and safety needs. Courtney communicated, emailed, EPIC chatted, whispered, or yelled – whatever it took - to carve a much-needed path for the patient’s care on the unit and post-discharge.
Courtney led the way for her team. She was a catalyst for action and patient advocacy, partnering with others for crucial conversations with the caregiver, gently encouraging the patient not to give up, and empowering the team with solutions to best manage the incredibly challenging situation. Courtney was tireless in her dedication to giving voice to the patient when she most needed it and was consistently present to her team, who deeply needed to feel safe and secure. She did it all – no one dare stand in her way.
In true servant leader fashion, if you asked Courtney today, she may simply say she just did what she knew was right. She truly believes that. This is just one meaningful example of many in the leadership force, that is Courtney. For those of us who are witness to her unyielding passion to identify issues and seek out solutions – no matter how hard; for those of us who cheer her on for the profound impact she makes every day; for those of us who seek her wise counsel – she is our Courtney: A most effective, generous, and inspired nurse leader at JDCH. She deserves all the accolades and gratitude from all of us.