Corey French
May 2026
Corey
French
,
RN, DNP, NEA-BC, CCRN, PCCN
Ellison 4
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston
,
MA
United States
We are honored to nominate our Nurse Director, Corey French, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN, PCCN, for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award on behalf of the staff of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Ellison 4 Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). Corey exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional nurse leader and has made a substantial positive impact on our unit and the broader organization.
Corey demonstrates unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, collaborative practice, and professional development. His career progression reflects this dedication. Over the past nine years, he advanced through ten promotions, from staff nurse to roles as Interim Associate Chief Nurse of Surgical Services at Beth Israel Lahey Health and ultimately Nurse Director of the MGH Ellison 4 SICU. These achievements are highlighted in his July 2023 Healthcare Re-Scribed podcast interview. At that time, he was recognized as a leader with remarkable career growth.
Corey assumed the Nurse Director role of the Ellison 4 SICU on September 11, 2023. Prior to this, the SICU had experienced significant leadership turnover. We underwent the retirement of a long-standing director, two short-term directors, and two interim directors. This was compounded by high staff attrition following COVID-19. Despite these challenges, the unit continued to deliver high-quality care with support from our Clinical Nurse Specialist and interim leadership. However, a by-product of this instability was diminished staff cohesion and morale.
Corey immediately engaged with transparency, respect, and approachability. During his first three months, he immersed himself in unit operations and met individually with every staff member before implementing changes. Under his leadership, unit-based committees became more inclusive and effective, contributing to the development of a more resilient and unified team.
Corey skillfully balances organizational priorities with the needs of frontline staff. Early in his tenure, he surveyed staff communication preferences and used this feedback to guide his practice of frequent huddles, timely updates, and consistent follow-through. He is transparent in addressing concerns and ensures that staff receive clear answers, even when outcomes are not ideal.
Corey is consistently visible, accessible, and responsive. His daily frequent walk-throughs of the unit foster open communication and real-time support. He readily addresses behavioral, safety, clinical, and operational issues, and he empowers resource nurses through clear guidelines while remaining available for consultation at any hour. His leadership enables staff autonomy while maintaining high standards of patient care.
He also recognizes that the business of healthcare cannot come at the expense of his staff. He is always supportive, with a willing ear, and demonstrates flexibility to provide solutions to issues that arise with his staff. He is a strong and constant advocate for MGH Police and Security to ensure that staff and patient safety is maintained, especially in our high-risk trauma population.
The SICU's complexity, driven by high acuity, capacity constraints, and numerous collaborating services, poses significant challenges for any leader. Corey has built strong relationships with multidisciplinary partners and has worked to standardize processes across services, such as thoracic and vascular care, by improving communication and consistency.
Leading a complex ICU in the post-COVID environment requires exceptional skill, adaptability, and dedication. Corey has met these demands while strengthening team cohesion, elevating staff morale, and fostering a culture of respect and collaboration. This is reflected in the most recent staff perception survey of the professional practice environment. The SICU achieved 100% positive responses regarding all aspects of unit leadership, the highest scores ever recorded.
For these reasons, we proudly nominate Corey French for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. His leadership continues to elevate our practice, our team, and the care we provide to our patients.
On behalf of the staff of the MGH Ellison 4 Surgical ICU
Corey demonstrates unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, collaborative practice, and professional development. His career progression reflects this dedication. Over the past nine years, he advanced through ten promotions, from staff nurse to roles as Interim Associate Chief Nurse of Surgical Services at Beth Israel Lahey Health and ultimately Nurse Director of the MGH Ellison 4 SICU. These achievements are highlighted in his July 2023 Healthcare Re-Scribed podcast interview. At that time, he was recognized as a leader with remarkable career growth.
Corey assumed the Nurse Director role of the Ellison 4 SICU on September 11, 2023. Prior to this, the SICU had experienced significant leadership turnover. We underwent the retirement of a long-standing director, two short-term directors, and two interim directors. This was compounded by high staff attrition following COVID-19. Despite these challenges, the unit continued to deliver high-quality care with support from our Clinical Nurse Specialist and interim leadership. However, a by-product of this instability was diminished staff cohesion and morale.
Corey immediately engaged with transparency, respect, and approachability. During his first three months, he immersed himself in unit operations and met individually with every staff member before implementing changes. Under his leadership, unit-based committees became more inclusive and effective, contributing to the development of a more resilient and unified team.
Corey skillfully balances organizational priorities with the needs of frontline staff. Early in his tenure, he surveyed staff communication preferences and used this feedback to guide his practice of frequent huddles, timely updates, and consistent follow-through. He is transparent in addressing concerns and ensures that staff receive clear answers, even when outcomes are not ideal.
Corey is consistently visible, accessible, and responsive. His daily frequent walk-throughs of the unit foster open communication and real-time support. He readily addresses behavioral, safety, clinical, and operational issues, and he empowers resource nurses through clear guidelines while remaining available for consultation at any hour. His leadership enables staff autonomy while maintaining high standards of patient care.
He also recognizes that the business of healthcare cannot come at the expense of his staff. He is always supportive, with a willing ear, and demonstrates flexibility to provide solutions to issues that arise with his staff. He is a strong and constant advocate for MGH Police and Security to ensure that staff and patient safety is maintained, especially in our high-risk trauma population.
The SICU's complexity, driven by high acuity, capacity constraints, and numerous collaborating services, poses significant challenges for any leader. Corey has built strong relationships with multidisciplinary partners and has worked to standardize processes across services, such as thoracic and vascular care, by improving communication and consistency.
Leading a complex ICU in the post-COVID environment requires exceptional skill, adaptability, and dedication. Corey has met these demands while strengthening team cohesion, elevating staff morale, and fostering a culture of respect and collaboration. This is reflected in the most recent staff perception survey of the professional practice environment. The SICU achieved 100% positive responses regarding all aspects of unit leadership, the highest scores ever recorded.
For these reasons, we proudly nominate Corey French for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. His leadership continues to elevate our practice, our team, and the care we provide to our patients.
On behalf of the staff of the MGH Ellison 4 Surgical ICU