I am honored to recognize Rogerio Correia for his extraordinary leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Veterans and nursing staff during a recent staffing crisis on December 31, 2025.

On this particularly challenging holiday night, Rogerio served as the NOD [Nursing Officer of the Day], overseeing three inpatient units with limited staffing and constrained resources. Despite the complexity of the situation, he demonstrated exceptional calm, clarity, and decisiveness. His composed and professional presence immediately set the tone for the entire shift and ensured that patient safety remained the top priority. Because of his leadership, staff felt supported, safe, and confident that high-quality care was being delivered to our Veterans.

 Role Modeling Extraordinary Leadership Behavior: Rogerio consistently led by example throughout the shift. Rather than directing from a distance, he remained visible, approachable, and actively engaged in patient care operations. When he recognized that staff were falling behind due to workload demands, he did not hesitate to step in personally — even performing accuchecks alongside bedside nurses. This willingness to serve shoulder-to-shoulder with staff exemplifies true servant leadership and reflects the highest standards of nursing professionalism. 

Creating an Environment of Trust, Compassion, and Respect: Rogerio fostered an environment grounded in trust, mutual respect, compassion, and ethical behavior. Although floating on a holiday was understandably difficult for staff, his transparent communication, empathy, and supportive demeanor helped alleviate frustration and build teamwork. His leadership reassured staff that their concerns were heard and that they were not facing challenges alone. By modeling professionalism and ethical decision-making under pressure, Rogerio reinforced a culture where nurses felt valued, respected, and supported.     

 Motivating Staff Through Shared Vision and Enthusiasm: Through his steady leadership and positive attitude, Rogerio inspired staff to rise above the challenges of the night. His commitment to Veteran-centered care created a shared sense of purpose that motivated nurses to support one another and collaborate across units. Even in less-than-ideal circumstances, his optimism and encouragement were contagious, helping the team remain focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for Veterans while supporting one another as colleagues. 
 
Promoting the Image of Nursing: Rogerio’s actions that night exemplified the very best of nursing leadership within the organization, the community, and the profession. His professionalism, humility, and dedication reinforced the critical role nursing leaders play in ensuring safe, ethical, and compassionate care — especially during times of operational strain. He demonstrated that nursing leadership is not defined by title alone, but by presence, action, and accountability. 
     
 Alignment with ICARE Values: 
• Integrity: Demonstrated through ethical decision-making, accountability, and hands-on leadership. 
• Commitment: Evident in his dedication to Veterans, staff, and the mission of the VA, even on a holiday under challenging conditions. 
• Advocacy: Actively advocated for safe staffing, patient safety, and staff support through action. 
• Respect: Showed respect for staff concerns, workload realities, and interprofessional collaboration. 
• Excellence: Delivered exceptional leadership that ensured high-quality, Veteran-centered care despite limited resources.