Cinnamon Banks
December 2024
Cinnamon
Banks
,
MSN, RN
10 Harbert Med/Surg
Children's of Alabama
Birmingham
,
AL
United States
When I think about the epitome of leadership, I think about Cinnamon.
Over the past few years, I have had the chance to watch her lead our unit. The impact she has had on this unit is truly significant.
Since becoming our unit director, Cinnamon has fostered a culture of encouragement, teamwork, and trust in the unit. Cinnamon makes conscious efforts to ensure every staff member knows how valuable and cared for they are as part of the 10H team.
Her office is a place staff members often frequent because she is approachable, visible, and a trusted leader.
I also have the opportunity to sit on multiple hospital-wide committees with Cinnamon. Her leadership skills are far-reaching beyond just the unit level. I learn so much by watching her interactions with others.
Cinnamon will never be the loudest in the room, but when she speaks, her voice is strong and well-respected. She is always seeking to find ways to grow herself as a leader and is quick to volunteer herself for things to better the hospital.
I think her desire for growth and willingness to serve speak so highly of her leadership abilities. I could speak about small things she has done for paragraphs on end, but I feel like one specific event sums up why she deserves this award.
A few weeks ago, we unfortunately had a code event on our unit that resulted in death. This is something that almost never happens in our unit and really shook everyone up.
The event began late in the evening, well past the end of Cinnamon’s shift that day. Because she knew the impact this would have on her staff, Cinnamon decided to come in to work to be available for whatever needs arose the remainder of that night.
She attended the code debrief, she checked on her staff and made sure they were okay, but most notably, she modeled extraordinary behavior and, quite honestly, I feel like even that is an understatement.
So often, we think of leaders as figureheads, the ones with the loudest voices or most followers. But then there are people like Cinnamon, coming in on night shift when no one else is here to notice, caring deeply for her staff and modeling what it looks like to lead well.
Over the past few years, I have had the chance to watch her lead our unit. The impact she has had on this unit is truly significant.
Since becoming our unit director, Cinnamon has fostered a culture of encouragement, teamwork, and trust in the unit. Cinnamon makes conscious efforts to ensure every staff member knows how valuable and cared for they are as part of the 10H team.
Her office is a place staff members often frequent because she is approachable, visible, and a trusted leader.
I also have the opportunity to sit on multiple hospital-wide committees with Cinnamon. Her leadership skills are far-reaching beyond just the unit level. I learn so much by watching her interactions with others.
Cinnamon will never be the loudest in the room, but when she speaks, her voice is strong and well-respected. She is always seeking to find ways to grow herself as a leader and is quick to volunteer herself for things to better the hospital.
I think her desire for growth and willingness to serve speak so highly of her leadership abilities. I could speak about small things she has done for paragraphs on end, but I feel like one specific event sums up why she deserves this award.
A few weeks ago, we unfortunately had a code event on our unit that resulted in death. This is something that almost never happens in our unit and really shook everyone up.
The event began late in the evening, well past the end of Cinnamon’s shift that day. Because she knew the impact this would have on her staff, Cinnamon decided to come in to work to be available for whatever needs arose the remainder of that night.
She attended the code debrief, she checked on her staff and made sure they were okay, but most notably, she modeled extraordinary behavior and, quite honestly, I feel like even that is an understatement.
So often, we think of leaders as figureheads, the ones with the loudest voices or most followers. But then there are people like Cinnamon, coming in on night shift when no one else is here to notice, caring deeply for her staff and modeling what it looks like to lead well.