I've seen firsthand how Laura demonstrates compassionate leadership, particularly through her empathy and understanding for our team's well-being. This is clearly shown every time an employee goes on FMLA due to illness or pregnancy. She personally reaches out to check in on them and even sends flowers.

For example, we had an employee who experienced complications after surgery. Laura consistently checked in on them and was incredibly flexible with their work schedule. She never made them feel guilty about missing work and always sent words of encouragement, which made a huge difference during a difficult time.

Additionally, many of our pregnant employees are stressed about radiation exposure. Laura addresses these concerns by providing a judgment-free space for them to ask questions. She offers clear education specific to radiation exposure during pregnancy and provides them with additional resources, including a direct contact in radiation safety. Her compassionate approach helps these employees feel comfortable and safe in an already stressful work environment.  Laura's ability to demonstrate this level of empathy and care not only builds trust but also shows her unwavering commitment to our well-being. Her actions make a significant impact on our team's morale, ensuring we feel supported and respected, especially during vulnerable times.

Laura consistently encourages and supports our team's professional development. A clear example of this was when she helped initiate a peripheral nerve block class for our CRNA team.  While performing peripheral nerve blocks has always been within a CRNA's scope of practice, it has not been the norm. With her vision and foresight, Laura saw an opportunity to change this. She went out of her way to engage with anesthesia leadership and the MD teams to get their support.

Her effort to empower our team was not just about professional growth; it was about improving patient care. By allowing CRNAs to perform these blocks, she saw a way to enhance patient satisfaction and reduce wait times. Furthermore, this would free up our busy pain specialists to perform other complex procedures for patients.  Laura's commitment was hands-on. She organized the training space and education, and even used members of our own team as models to help us become more comfortable with the ultrasound technique. This initiative not only expanded our professional skills but also improved the efficiency and quality of care we provide to patients.

When our team faces high-stress situations or challenging cases, Laura consistently helps us remain resilient. A great example of her support was during the implementation of the "Here to Hear" Program.  Recognizing my interest in promoting mental health among healthcare providers, Laura sought me out when she heard about the program. She knew my passion for the subject and asked if I would be interested in the training. The "Here to Hear" Program is a multi-disciplinary initiative focused on supporting caregivers after catastrophic events. With her unwavering support and encouragement throughout the training, I was able to bring the program's principles back to our team. This enabled us to create a safe space for debriefing, allowing everyone to process the emotional toll of difficult cases and support one another.

This initiative truly demonstrated Laura's commitment to our team's well-being and resilience. Her support didn't just help me; it provided a crucial outlet that has strengthened our entire team and equipped us to handle future challenges with greater unity and emotional preparedness.