As a Charge Nurse in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), Rhodel exemplifies compassionate leadership, clinical excellence, and unwavering dedication to both patients and staff.

Rhodel has served as the charge nurse in the CVICU for many years and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to complex cardiovascular conditions and specialized cardiac equipment—whether it's the LVAD, Impella, CRRT, or ECMO, he understands the intricacies of each device and the critical care needed to manage them. But beyond his clinical expertise, Rhodel leads with a calm, steady presence, integrity, and empathy—qualities that make all the difference in a high-acuity unit like the CVICU.

As a float pool nurse with a background in medical and neuro ICU, I often felt nervous when floated to the CVICU due to my limited experience with cardiac patients. But Rhodel was always there—compassionate, approachable, and never once making me feel like my questions were a burden. He created a space where I could learn without fear, which is a rare and powerful quality in a leader.

Rhodel is the true backbone of the unit. On top of managing the demands of being charged, he's constantly jumping in to help at the bedside. He’s a huge advocate for early mobilization, often seen helping post-op cardiac surgery patients out of bed and into chairs—sometimes even before the primary nurse gets there. I remember one morning, I stepped into the med room for a moment, and when I came back, Rhodel had already gotten my patient up and into the chair. I've watched him help patients to the bathroom, assist them with walking around the unit, and pull IV poles alongside them during ambulation. Besides early mobilization, he aims to maintain high standards of care, implementing evidence-based practices and following up on protocols to reduce CLABSIs, CAUTIs, and HAPIs.

He’s also the kind of leader who doesn’t hesitate when someone needs help. Whether it's repositioning a patient, cleaning them up, or offering a second pair of eyes on a concerning change, he’s right there—without hesitation or judgment, and always with grace. With his calm demeanor and steady presence, he skillfully navigates conflicts and challenges, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

One moment that will always stay with me was when I had a patient in complete heart block who was being transcutaneously paced, and eventually received a transvenous pacer. After a few days of caring for the patient in the CVICU, they were transferred to the MICU—and by chance, I was floated there and assigned to them again. Upon arrival, the wires for the transvenous pacer had gotten dislodged, necessitating TCP until a more permanent solution. However, the pacer was visibly failing to capture consistently, and despite several of us (residents and nurses) trying to troubleshoot it, nothing seemed to work. Out of desperation, I called Rhodel, asking him to stop by the patient's new room when he had a moment. He walked in, assessed the patient and the equipment, and calmly identified the issue—increasing the mA. Problem solved. He then stayed to explain everything to the team and the residents, teaching us about pacing devices with kindness, clarity, and zero ego. During this critical situation, he not only improved the patient's outcome, but also provided guidance, support, and continued learning for the doctors and me. I believe this specific moment of teaching will have a lasting and positive impact on the doctors and me, as we continue to care for patients in the future.

Rhodel is not just a skilled nurse leader—he is the type of leader who uplifts the entire team, sets the standard for compassionate care, and quietly makes everyone around him better. He demonstrates dedication, humility, clinical brilliance, and unwavering support of both patients and staff.