Amber Phillips and Joanna Lenaburg
October 2025
Amber
Phillips
,
BNS, RNC-NIC
Inpatient
Providence St. Patrick Hospital
Missoula
,
MT
United States
Amber and Joey always put patient safety first, and continue to practice and lead with the highest of standards of care!
I have had the privilege of working with Joey and Amber through one of the hardest times. Throughout this emotional and uncertain transition, they have led us with genuine compassion, respect, and love. Even while facing their own challenges, they constantly checked in on us, making sure we were okay both professionally and personally. They supported all of us every step of the way, reminding us of our worth and encouraging us to stay strong. What touched us the most was their selflessness. They both helped us look for new job opportunities even before searching for their own. That kind of kindness and leadership is something I will never forget. Joey and Amber have truly been the heart of our team. They led us with grace, empathy, and unwavering dedication, creating a sense of unity and calm when everything around was changing. Their strength and compassion carried us through one of the most difficult moments of our careers.
I don’t see any other leaders more deserving of the DAISY Award. Joey and Amber are the true definition of what means to lead with integrity, compassion, and grace. It has been a true honor to work with them both.
***
Joey and Amber are nothing short of extraordinary. The have both been “visionaries” of the Family Maternity Center since day 1.
Joey was one of the first employees of the FMC when it opened in 2015. She has been a transformative leader and had a vision of making FMC the best place to work. She ensured that FMC was always improving and adopting evidenced-based practice. She is a fierce advocate of the staff and helped the unit thrive.
Amber has been the backbone of the NICU. Her calm and composed demeanor have supported staff through complex and challenging situations. Amber consistently has gone above and beyond- working night shift and weekends to make sure that staff and our smallest patients are well taken care of. Her steadfast leadership is unwavering.
Amber and Joey have mentored and supported countless nurses. They have fostered a team of secretaries, surgical techs, nurses, and physicians that are extraordinary. They have helped navigate the FMC team through an incredibly difficult time, and they have persevered. Thank you, Joey and Amber, for your exemplary and compassionate leadership.
***
I would like to nominate both Joey Lenaburg and Amber Phillips, co-managers on FMC unit for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. These two both took on the manager role when FMC manager left the unit and took another job. They both stepped up in such a profound way to take care of our unit, our staff, and our patients. They always put patient safety first, and continue to practice and lead with the highest of standards of care! When the notice of the closure of FMC was announced, both Joey and Amber kept patients and our staff at the forefront. While they were going through all of the stress and emotions that the entire unit were going through, they kept positive attitudes and stood behind us all as we navigated these uncharted waters. They have been professional through the whole process and have always done what is best for FMC. They both deserve the DAISY Award!
***
I know the nomination is technically for one person. However, both Amber and Joey have been invaluable as a team to not only FMC the last year but to the hospital as a whole. They have been amazing advocates for the patients of FMC, the nurses of FMC, the nurses throughout the hospital, and physicians from many different specialties.
When our manager of 8 years left to take a director’s position, they both stepped up. No issue brought to them was ignored. Investigations were completed to find new workflows, answers, and anything else that was needed. The staff schedule was streamlined and for the first time we were fully staffed with PDR personnel as well. Education continued to be a priority so that every single one of our patients could benefit from the most current evidence-based care.
Then came June 3rd of this year and the unit received notice that after 10 years (Joey and Amber were there for all of them) the unit would be closing. The delivery of the news was less than ideal. Every single nurse, tech, and secretary was checked on by either Amber or Joey after the announcement. All job opportunities were shared with the staff. Calls came into the unit during busy times to ensure we had what we needed. Patient safety concerns were continuously addressed. Many tears were shed on our unit, and they were there for most of them. They tirelessly advocated for the information that the staff needed from Providence to make the most informed decision on our futures.
While it was thought that all the details of the closure were figured out before we received the news, they were not. Amber and Joey identified details and roadblocks that needed to be addressed so our patients could have safe continuity of care as their services were moved to CMC. They have trained OR staff, ED staff, and stat RNs on how to respond to OB and infant emergencies. And will continue to do so after the unit closes.
With my entire heart and soul, I know they both deserve this Award for the tireless dedication they have shown. I could write volumes about what they have done this past year to improve patient care and working conditions for staff. Joanna Lenaburg and Amber Phillips are incredible assets to this hospital and deserve to be recognized for it.
I don’t see any other leaders more deserving of the DAISY Award. Joey and Amber are the true definition of what means to lead with integrity, compassion, and grace. It has been a true honor to work with them both.
***
Joey and Amber are nothing short of extraordinary. The have both been “visionaries” of the Family Maternity Center since day 1.
Joey was one of the first employees of the FMC when it opened in 2015. She has been a transformative leader and had a vision of making FMC the best place to work. She ensured that FMC was always improving and adopting evidenced-based practice. She is a fierce advocate of the staff and helped the unit thrive.
Amber has been the backbone of the NICU. Her calm and composed demeanor have supported staff through complex and challenging situations. Amber consistently has gone above and beyond- working night shift and weekends to make sure that staff and our smallest patients are well taken care of. Her steadfast leadership is unwavering.
Amber and Joey have mentored and supported countless nurses. They have fostered a team of secretaries, surgical techs, nurses, and physicians that are extraordinary. They have helped navigate the FMC team through an incredibly difficult time, and they have persevered. Thank you, Joey and Amber, for your exemplary and compassionate leadership.
***
I would like to nominate both Joey Lenaburg and Amber Phillips, co-managers on FMC unit for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. These two both took on the manager role when FMC manager left the unit and took another job. They both stepped up in such a profound way to take care of our unit, our staff, and our patients. They always put patient safety first, and continue to practice and lead with the highest of standards of care! When the notice of the closure of FMC was announced, both Joey and Amber kept patients and our staff at the forefront. While they were going through all of the stress and emotions that the entire unit were going through, they kept positive attitudes and stood behind us all as we navigated these uncharted waters. They have been professional through the whole process and have always done what is best for FMC. They both deserve the DAISY Award!
***
I know the nomination is technically for one person. However, both Amber and Joey have been invaluable as a team to not only FMC the last year but to the hospital as a whole. They have been amazing advocates for the patients of FMC, the nurses of FMC, the nurses throughout the hospital, and physicians from many different specialties.
When our manager of 8 years left to take a director’s position, they both stepped up. No issue brought to them was ignored. Investigations were completed to find new workflows, answers, and anything else that was needed. The staff schedule was streamlined and for the first time we were fully staffed with PDR personnel as well. Education continued to be a priority so that every single one of our patients could benefit from the most current evidence-based care.
Then came June 3rd of this year and the unit received notice that after 10 years (Joey and Amber were there for all of them) the unit would be closing. The delivery of the news was less than ideal. Every single nurse, tech, and secretary was checked on by either Amber or Joey after the announcement. All job opportunities were shared with the staff. Calls came into the unit during busy times to ensure we had what we needed. Patient safety concerns were continuously addressed. Many tears were shed on our unit, and they were there for most of them. They tirelessly advocated for the information that the staff needed from Providence to make the most informed decision on our futures.
While it was thought that all the details of the closure were figured out before we received the news, they were not. Amber and Joey identified details and roadblocks that needed to be addressed so our patients could have safe continuity of care as their services were moved to CMC. They have trained OR staff, ED staff, and stat RNs on how to respond to OB and infant emergencies. And will continue to do so after the unit closes.
With my entire heart and soul, I know they both deserve this Award for the tireless dedication they have shown. I could write volumes about what they have done this past year to improve patient care and working conditions for staff. Joanna Lenaburg and Amber Phillips are incredible assets to this hospital and deserve to be recognized for it.