Ashley Ashburn
June 2026
Ashley
Ashburn
,
RN
Lexington VA Health Care System
Lexington
,
KY
United States
She models excellence by leading by example, setting a standard of compassionate leadership that inspires her team and transforms the hospital environment into a healing environment.
It is with deep gratitude and admiration that this nomination is submitted for Ashley Ashburn, 5T Nurse Manager, as a DAISY Nurse Leader. Through one Veteran’s difficult and vulnerable moments, Ashley exemplified what it truly means to serve our Veterans and their families.
Her leadership extended far beyond clinical oversight. She demonstrated compassion, advocacy, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to caring for the whole family. The following words reflect the perspective of the patient’s wife, who experienced Ashley’s extraordinary leadership firsthand.
• “She let me borrow a cart to haul my things around on.”
• “When B was in distress, she was there with a hug or a shoulder to cry on.”
• “She coordinated a space so that I could shower.”
• “She came by to ensure I was okay every time he was sent to PCU or ICU.”
• “The first time a rapid was called, she held me while I cried.”
• “If a dinner tray was unclaimed or a patient was discharged, she would offer me the tray because the kitchen was closed at 2 pm and not open on the weekends.”
• “When B went to PCU, she spoke to the charge nurse and nurse manager to help ensure he got the room with a private bathroom so I would not need to leave the room to use the bathroom.”
• “She spoke with the charge nurse to get it approved for the boys to visit while in the PCU.”
• “On Christmas, she allowed us to have/open Christmas presents in his room. There were 6 people total. Three kids were opening Christmas gifts and having pizza for dinner. They were at the hospital all day.”
• “The first time he was in ICU, she stored some of my non-essential things in her office.”
• “Every time she sees me, she asks if I have eaten, taken my medications or showered.”
• “She spoke with Matt at the Fisher House to coordinate a stay for my son’s 15th birthday so they could be in town. We live in Berea, and they made an exception and allowed us to stay.”
• “When B was being downgraded, I always spoke to her, and she helped ensure that he was moved to the 5th floor because of the private bathrooms and knowing I have not left his side.”
• “She helped me get in touch with CDCE for activities or items I needed during our stay.”
Ashley’s leadership consistently reflects the VA’s iCARE values in action. She demonstrates integrity by doing what is right for Veterans and their families, even in the smallest unseen moments, ensuring they feel supported, safe, and valued.
Her commitment is evident in the way she remains present through crises, transitions to PCU or ICU, and even during holidays; she never loses sight of the family’s emotional and physical needs. She embodies advocacy by proactively coordinating with charge nurses, managers, and support services to secure private accommodation, visitation approvals, and access to essential resources that preserve dignity and comfort.
Through her constant check-ins, compassionate presence and thoughtful gestures, she showed respect for the whole family. She models excellence by leading by example, setting a standard of compassionate leadership that inspires her team and transforms the hospital environment into a healing environment.
Ashley’s actions were not isolated acts of kindness; they were a pattern of servant leadership that brought comfort, stability, and hope during an incredibly vulnerable time. She does not simply oversee care – she elevates it. For these reasons, she is exceptionally deserving of recognition as a DAISY Nurse Leader.
Her leadership extended far beyond clinical oversight. She demonstrated compassion, advocacy, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to caring for the whole family. The following words reflect the perspective of the patient’s wife, who experienced Ashley’s extraordinary leadership firsthand.
• “She let me borrow a cart to haul my things around on.”
• “When B was in distress, she was there with a hug or a shoulder to cry on.”
• “She coordinated a space so that I could shower.”
• “She came by to ensure I was okay every time he was sent to PCU or ICU.”
• “The first time a rapid was called, she held me while I cried.”
• “If a dinner tray was unclaimed or a patient was discharged, she would offer me the tray because the kitchen was closed at 2 pm and not open on the weekends.”
• “When B went to PCU, she spoke to the charge nurse and nurse manager to help ensure he got the room with a private bathroom so I would not need to leave the room to use the bathroom.”
• “She spoke with the charge nurse to get it approved for the boys to visit while in the PCU.”
• “On Christmas, she allowed us to have/open Christmas presents in his room. There were 6 people total. Three kids were opening Christmas gifts and having pizza for dinner. They were at the hospital all day.”
• “The first time he was in ICU, she stored some of my non-essential things in her office.”
• “Every time she sees me, she asks if I have eaten, taken my medications or showered.”
• “She spoke with Matt at the Fisher House to coordinate a stay for my son’s 15th birthday so they could be in town. We live in Berea, and they made an exception and allowed us to stay.”
• “When B was being downgraded, I always spoke to her, and she helped ensure that he was moved to the 5th floor because of the private bathrooms and knowing I have not left his side.”
• “She helped me get in touch with CDCE for activities or items I needed during our stay.”
Ashley’s leadership consistently reflects the VA’s iCARE values in action. She demonstrates integrity by doing what is right for Veterans and their families, even in the smallest unseen moments, ensuring they feel supported, safe, and valued.
Her commitment is evident in the way she remains present through crises, transitions to PCU or ICU, and even during holidays; she never loses sight of the family’s emotional and physical needs. She embodies advocacy by proactively coordinating with charge nurses, managers, and support services to secure private accommodation, visitation approvals, and access to essential resources that preserve dignity and comfort.
Through her constant check-ins, compassionate presence and thoughtful gestures, she showed respect for the whole family. She models excellence by leading by example, setting a standard of compassionate leadership that inspires her team and transforms the hospital environment into a healing environment.
Ashley’s actions were not isolated acts of kindness; they were a pattern of servant leadership that brought comfort, stability, and hope during an incredibly vulnerable time. She does not simply oversee care – she elevates it. For these reasons, she is exceptionally deserving of recognition as a DAISY Nurse Leader.