Heather McNeal
October 2025
Heather
McNeal
,
BSN, RN, TCRN, CCRN
Surgical Trauma ICU
Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Gainesville
,
GA
United States
She doesn't ask us to do anything she would not do herself. She encourages us, supports us, and helps us to grow both personally and professionally
Heather is the best nurse manager I’ve ever worked for! She cares so deeply not only for our patients but for her staff as well. She puts everything she has into making sure her staff feel well supported and well loved!
***
Heather’s remarkable leadership, compassion, and dedication to patient care truly make her a standout member of the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Team.
Heather consistently goes above and beyond in her role as a Nurse Leader. Her unwavering commitment to ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care is evident in all she does. She leads with empathy, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to her patients and team.
One of Heather’s most admirable qualities is her ability to inspire and support her team. She fosters a positive and inclusive work environment, encouraging her colleagues to strive for excellence and continuously grow in their roles. Heather’s mentorship and guidance have had a profound impact on the professional development of STICU nurses.
An exemplary instance of Heather’s dedication is when she made a memory box so the team could get fingerprints, locks of hair, and heartbeats in a bottle for families experiencing the loss of a loved one. Her actions demonstrated her deep compassion and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those she serves.
Heather’s commitment to patient advocacy is unwavering. She consistently goes the extra mile to ensure that patients and their families feel heard, understood, and cared for. Her ability to provide comfort and clear communication during challenging times is truly commendable.
Heather consistently demonstrates NGHS's core values of Respectful Compassion, Responsible Stewardship, and Deep Interdependence.
***
I have had the unique opportunity to witness Heather's incredible journey from a critical care tech to the inspiring leader she is today as our Unit Manager. Over the years, I have watched her grow both personally and professionally, and I can say without a doubt that she embodies the qualities of an exceptional nurse leader. My words may be inadequate, but my heartfelt belief in Heather as a leader is unmatched.
Heather's dedication to our unit, patients, and staff is nothing short of remarkable. Over the years, I watched her overcome personal challenges as a single mom, all while balancing her demanding career. Despite the difficulties she has faced, Heather never once allowed her personal struggles to affect her work or the care she provided to her patients when filling the role of a bedside nurse. Fast forward from her role at bedside, she still continues to inspire me and others to learn, grow, and advance when opportunities arrive. She recently completed her master’s degree while managing her home life (now happily married) and work demands.
As a leader, Heather is proactive and results-driven. She has implemented numerous programs that have significantly improved both patient satisfaction and safety. One of her proudest accomplishments was leading our unit to receive the Silver Beacon Award, a true testament to her commitment to excellence. She passionately believes that our unit can achieve the Gold Beacon award and is currently prepping to do so. Under her leadership, our infection rates for central lines, foleys, and ventilators have decreased, reflecting her unwavering focus on patient care.
Heather's leadership style is approachable, compassionate, and hands-on. She has fostered a culture of open communication on our unit, where team members feel valued and heard. Her door is always open, whether it be for professional advice or personal support. She regularly encourages staff on a deeper level, showing genuine concern for our well-being. Heather is quick to share positive feedback that she may receive during her leader rounding from our patients and families, ensuring that we all feel appreciated for the hard work we do.
She is a strong advocate for patient safety, mandating bedside shift reports and enforcing adherence to turn teams to ensure the best possible care for our patients. But it's not just about protocols for Heather - she is also a leader who leads by example. She has never shied away from rolling up her sleeves to help the team when we needed it the most. Whether it's coming in at night to assist with staffing shortages or jumping in during busy shifts, Heather's commitment to our unit is unwavering.
Heather is the epitome of what a nurse leader should be: dedicated, compassionate, hardworking, and selfless. She doesn't ask us to do anything she would not do herself. She encourages us, supports us, and helps us to grow both personally and professionally. Heather has earned the respect and admiration of everyone on our team, and I believe she truly exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding nurse leader.
***
It is with great pride that I nominate Heather McNeal for the Nurse Leader Award. She is the kind of leader who inspires those around her to be better every day, and she is the heartbeat of our unit.
***
Heather’s remarkable leadership, compassion, and dedication to patient care truly make her a standout member of the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Team.
Heather consistently goes above and beyond in her role as a Nurse Leader. Her unwavering commitment to ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care is evident in all she does. She leads with empathy, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to her patients and team.
One of Heather’s most admirable qualities is her ability to inspire and support her team. She fosters a positive and inclusive work environment, encouraging her colleagues to strive for excellence and continuously grow in their roles. Heather’s mentorship and guidance have had a profound impact on the professional development of STICU nurses.
An exemplary instance of Heather’s dedication is when she made a memory box so the team could get fingerprints, locks of hair, and heartbeats in a bottle for families experiencing the loss of a loved one. Her actions demonstrated her deep compassion and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those she serves.
Heather’s commitment to patient advocacy is unwavering. She consistently goes the extra mile to ensure that patients and their families feel heard, understood, and cared for. Her ability to provide comfort and clear communication during challenging times is truly commendable.
Heather consistently demonstrates NGHS's core values of Respectful Compassion, Responsible Stewardship, and Deep Interdependence.
***
I have had the unique opportunity to witness Heather's incredible journey from a critical care tech to the inspiring leader she is today as our Unit Manager. Over the years, I have watched her grow both personally and professionally, and I can say without a doubt that she embodies the qualities of an exceptional nurse leader. My words may be inadequate, but my heartfelt belief in Heather as a leader is unmatched.
Heather's dedication to our unit, patients, and staff is nothing short of remarkable. Over the years, I watched her overcome personal challenges as a single mom, all while balancing her demanding career. Despite the difficulties she has faced, Heather never once allowed her personal struggles to affect her work or the care she provided to her patients when filling the role of a bedside nurse. Fast forward from her role at bedside, she still continues to inspire me and others to learn, grow, and advance when opportunities arrive. She recently completed her master’s degree while managing her home life (now happily married) and work demands.
As a leader, Heather is proactive and results-driven. She has implemented numerous programs that have significantly improved both patient satisfaction and safety. One of her proudest accomplishments was leading our unit to receive the Silver Beacon Award, a true testament to her commitment to excellence. She passionately believes that our unit can achieve the Gold Beacon award and is currently prepping to do so. Under her leadership, our infection rates for central lines, foleys, and ventilators have decreased, reflecting her unwavering focus on patient care.
Heather's leadership style is approachable, compassionate, and hands-on. She has fostered a culture of open communication on our unit, where team members feel valued and heard. Her door is always open, whether it be for professional advice or personal support. She regularly encourages staff on a deeper level, showing genuine concern for our well-being. Heather is quick to share positive feedback that she may receive during her leader rounding from our patients and families, ensuring that we all feel appreciated for the hard work we do.
She is a strong advocate for patient safety, mandating bedside shift reports and enforcing adherence to turn teams to ensure the best possible care for our patients. But it's not just about protocols for Heather - she is also a leader who leads by example. She has never shied away from rolling up her sleeves to help the team when we needed it the most. Whether it's coming in at night to assist with staffing shortages or jumping in during busy shifts, Heather's commitment to our unit is unwavering.
Heather is the epitome of what a nurse leader should be: dedicated, compassionate, hardworking, and selfless. She doesn't ask us to do anything she would not do herself. She encourages us, supports us, and helps us to grow both personally and professionally. Heather has earned the respect and admiration of everyone on our team, and I believe she truly exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding nurse leader.
***
It is with great pride that I nominate Heather McNeal for the Nurse Leader Award. She is the kind of leader who inspires those around her to be better every day, and she is the heartbeat of our unit.