I am honored to nominate Kerri Pagliuca, RN, for The DAISY Nurse Leader Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to excellence in nursing. Kerri has consistently demonstrated the qualities of a compassionate, empowering, and effective nurse leader.

In her role as both MGH Primary Care Operations Manager and Nurse Manager of her Primary Care Practice, MGH Revere Broadway, she listens attentively to the concerns of her team of Primary Care RNs (PCRN) and Primary Care Nurse Leaders (PCNL), thus providing support that fosters an environment of trust and respect. With years of hands-on experience, Kerri is an invaluable resource for our entire team. Her clinical knowledge is unmatched. Whenever critical decision-making moments arise, she is the person people reach out to as she excels in providing insightful clinical guidance.

She constantly seeks opportunities to improve patient care, enhance workflows, and implement evidence-based practices. Her drive to improve the quality of care is evident in every aspect of her leadership, such as spearheading a CENTRI/RN research project. She created, implemented, and evaluated a nurse-led diabetes management program with peer support for PCRNs to provide education to patients in our practices with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and better manage their condition. She organizes quarterly RN Lunch and Learn programs, inviting experts to speak on topics important for all Ambulatory RNs to perform their jobs.

She advocates for new technologies and systems that improve patient outcomes, such as getting scanners into our practices for the safe and effective delivery of medications and vaccines. She organized the Primary Care Nurse Council that serves as the voice of the nursing staff, empowering nurses to influence decisions that directly impact their practice, patient care, and work environment. It is reportedly the best meeting, all of the members say they attend.

She recognizes that a happy and supported team provides the best care and is a staunch advocate for nursing well-being. She organized a Paint Night for the PCNL as a wellness activity and has monthly wellness activities in her practice. She consistently demonstrates a high level of integrity and accountability in all her actions. She leads by example, setting a standard of ethical practice and professional conduct that everyone on the team respects. Her ability to hold herself and others accountable, while offering constructive feedback, has played a significant role in maintaining a culture of excellence and safety.

I cannot think of a more deserving person for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award than Kerri. She truly embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award – extraordinary compassion and skill that support the direct patient care team while contributing behind the scenes, where culture, morale, and clinical quality are shaped.