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Learn how these UVA Health University Medical Center team members lead by example: "Compassionate leadership directly impacts patient care." 

In addition to the two DAISY Awards presented year-round every month by the Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) DAISY Award Committee to UVA Health University Medical Center nurses, one DAISY Nurse Leader Award is also administered per year. Going forward, NPGO expects to announce two DAISY Nurse Leader Awards a year.

But the first presentation of a 2026 DAISY Nurse Leader Award, earlier this month, came with another special twist: turns out, several nominees proved to be so outstanding, THREE recipients earned the awards! (NPGO still plans a second presentation for a 2026 DAISY Nurse Leader Award in early 2027.)

During an event in the OR Conference Rooms on the second floor of University Hospital, UVA Health University Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Kathy Baker, PhD, RN,NE-BC, FAAN, and DAISY Award Committee Vice Chair Amy McNabb, BSN, RN, CRRN, presented 2026 DAISY Nurse Leader Awards to:

• Katherine Kois, MSN, RN, Nurse Manager, Perianesthesia Main
• Ryan MacDonald, MSN, RN, Quality Director, Perioperative Services
• Felicia Samuel, MSN, RN, CV-BC, Nurse Manager, Heart Center

'Then I Met Katie ....'

Patient Care Technician Deborah Napier nominated Kois:

"I am honored to nominate Katherine in recognition of her exceptional compassion, leadership, and dedication to patients and team members. For more than 10 years, I have worked under Katherine in my role as a patient care technician, and she consistently creates an environment in which compassionate care thrives. She leads with reliability, attentiveness, and a genuine commitment to listening and understanding the needs of her team. No matter what your role is, Katherine treats everyone with equal respect and value, fostering a culture of inclusivity and teamwork.

"She consistently goes above and beyond in her role, embodying the ASPIRE values of UVA Health and strongly encouraging others to uphold those same standards. Her ability to quickly and effectively address challenges ensures that team members and patients receive the highest level of care. 

"Katherine’s compassion extends far beyond her leadership responsibilities. During one of the most difficult times in my life ... she provided me with unwavering emotional support. She understood the emotional toll and responded with empathy, kindness, and encouragement that helped me continue caring for others while navigating my own grief. 

"She is also deeply committed to improving patient safety and supporting her team in practical ways. Katherine implemented the use of rolling scales so team members can bring the scales directly to patients, reducing risk and improving safety. Her ability to turn a challenging situation into a meaningful improvement demonstrates her strong leadership and dedication to quality care.

"Katherine has provided me with valuable tools to manage workplace challenges, helping me grow professionally and personally. She fosters respect, accountability, and teamwork — creating a culture in which team members are supported and empowered.  Katherine leads by example, demonstrating compassionate leadership directly impacts patient care. Her clear communication, attention to detail, and proactive problem-solving ensure a smooth and positive environment for team members and patients. Katherine embodies the values of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Her compassion, fairness, and dedication make her truly deserving of this recognition!"

Melissa Johnson, RN, also nominated Kois:

"After more than 20 years as a nurse, I never thought a leader could change the way I feel about myself. Then I met Katie.

"Before working with her, I spent years carrying frustrations that I didn't know how to express. I became very good at hiding how overwhelmed, discouraged, and alone I often felt. I would go home replaying conversations, questioning myself, and wondering if anyone truly saw what I was struggling with. Most days, I simply put on a smile and kept moving.

"But somehow, Katie always knew. She would quietly pull me aside and ask, 'Are you okay?' Not because she had to, but because she genuinely cared. In those moments, she gave me something I didn't even realize I had been missing — a safe place to be honest. She listened without judgment, without rushing, and without trying to fix everything. She simply made me feel seen.

"For the first time in a very long time, I felt like I mattered.

"What made those moments even more meaningful is that Katie never tried to fight my battles for me. Even when she was ready to step in and advocate on my behalf, she respected my desire to find my own voice. She stood beside me — encouraging me and believing in me long before I believed in myself.

"Because of Katie, the nurse who once cried in silence learned how to speak with confidence. The conversations that once left me defeated no longer have that power over me.

"Today, I can respectfully advocate for myself, communicate professionally, and stand up when something isn't right. That transformation didn't happen because I attended a class or read a book. It happened because a leader invested in me as a human being.

"That is Katie's gift: seeing potential in people long before they see it in themselves.

"And her impact extends far beyond individual team members. She has a remarkable ability to bring people together and remind us that we are all part of something larger than ourselves. She creates unity where there could easily be division. She builds relationships across departments and encourages collaboration in a way that makes everyone feel valued and included. Because of her leadership, I no longer feel like I work in separate units. I feel like I belong to a team.

"One night, a paraplegic patient came to our hospital seeking help. He and his family initially presented to the Emergency Department, where Social Work worked diligently to find a safe place for him to stay. Despite their efforts, no accommodations could be secured. With nowhere else to go, the patient's family brought him to the second floor of the hospital.

"I will never forget seeing him there. He was vulnerable, frightened, and alone. As nurses, we witness difficult situations every day, but there is something especially heartbreaking about seeing a patient who had exhausted all options and had no one to advocate for him in that moment. Unsure what else to do, I called Katie.

"She immediately became involved, supporting both the patient and team members while tirelessly working to find a solution. Through her advocacy, persistence, and compassion, she helped secure a room in ESP so the patient could remain safely in the hospital and receive surgery the following day.

"When a combative patient created a challenging and potentially unsafe situation, Katie was right there. She assisted team members, collaborated with Anesthesia on medications, and provided reassurance to nurses who needed support. Her calm presence transformed a stressful situation into one that felt manageable.

"I have seen Katie get down on her hands and knees to clean a refrigerator because it needed to be done. I have watched her build shelves to improve nourishment areas for patients. I have seen her spend hours searching for a patient's lost cell phone, refusing to give up until she finally found it in the parking garage. Katie, along with the Bed Center team, consistently go above and beyond to help secure beds for patients, particularly during periods of red capacity. Their work helps ensure patients receive a room and bed rather than remaining on a stretcher, greatly enhancing patient experience and supporting hospital throughput.

"She treats every single person with dignity and respect. It doesn't matter what your job title is, what department you work in, what you look like, or where you come from. Every person matters to her. Every person is worthy of kindness. Every person deserves to be heard.

"On a personal level, Katie has changed my life in ways she may never fully understand. She helped me find my voice, build my confidence, and become a stronger advocate for myself, my patients, and my profession. Because of her leadership, I walk into work differently. I believe in myself more. I am a better nurse.

"And through her compassion, humility, and unwavering commitment to others, she has created a culture in which team members feel supported, patients feel valued, and teamwork thrives. She leads not through authority, but through service. She inspires not through words alone, but through her actions every day.

"There are leaders who manage people, and there are leaders who transform lives.

"Katie often reminds our team: 'Each of you is a leader. You represent our unit, our organization, and our profession. This representation occurs at the bedside, in the community, and during your interactions with each of your colleagues. Your influence is defined by how you choose to inspire others, your integrity and accountability, and how you treat others. Clear and respectful communication is vital, as well as putting yourself in someone else's shoes.'

"These are not just words Katie shares with us — they are principles she lives by every day. She leads by example — demonstrating compassion, integrity, accountability, and respect in every interaction. Through her actions, she inspires those around her to become better nurses, better colleagues, and better people.  

"For her extraordinary compassion, servant leadership, tireless advocacy, and profound impact on patients, families, and team members, I can think of no one more deserving of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award than Katie!"

'Be Hard on the Process, Easy on the People!'

Two of the nominations for McDonald echoed a similar sentiment on one topic. Debbie Graves, MBA, BSN, and Mary Carrion, MILS, BSN, CONR, say a moment that truly exemplifies McDonald's "extraordinary leadership" occurred during a simple team conversation about shared interest in research and learning. McDonald immediately took that curiosity and turned it into action. "He proactively connected our team with UVA research resources including implementation science talks, nursing research leadership, and meaningful conversations that allowed us to align research-driven goals with our day-to-day work. He created space for creativity, innovation, and learning — empowering us to see ourselves not just as operational leaders, but as contributors to evidence-based practice and nursing advancement." 

Graves also praised MacDonald this way:

"I am honored to nominate Ryan in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to nursing excellence across all perioperative sites. Ryan consistently role models behaviors that are perceived as extraordinary — not through grand gestures — but through his steady presence, authenticity, and genuine belief in people. Ryan creates an environment that fosters care and compassion by showing up in all the right ways. He is present, persistent, accessible, and reliable. He prioritizes personal check-ins and takes the time to understand not just the work we do, but who we are as people.

"After encouraging me to pursue graduate school, our weekly check-ins became a space not only to discuss work, but also to reflect on learning, growth, and how new ideas could be thoughtfully applied to improve patient care and nursing practice. This level of support models trust, mutual respect, and continued professional development — all while protecting work-life balance and psychological safety.

"Ryan handles conflict respectfully, approaches mistakes with grace, and welcomes differing opinions with an open mind. He often reminds us to 'be hard on the process, not the people' — a phrase that has become synonymous with his leadership style. As a servant leader, Ryan motivates teams through shared vision and enthusiasm, inspiring confidence and ownership rather than fear or hierarchy. He is always just a text away and never hesitates to show up when support is needed, especially in moments of uncertainty.  Ryan strongly believes in bottom-up change — championing nursing committees, workgroups, and frontline voices as the drivers of meaningful improvement.

"Through his integrity, professionalism, respect, stewardship, accountability, and commitment to equity — Ryan elevates the image of nursing across the organization and reinforces the profound impact nurses have on patients, teams, and the community.  Ryan does not simply lead perioperative nursing — he nurtures it, protects it, and inspires it — and that is what makes him truly deserving of this DAISY Award!"

And Carrion touted McDonald this way:

"I am honored to nominate Ryan for a DAISY Nurse Leader Award in recognition of his exceptional nursing leadership and profound impact on perioperative quality improvement and team development. Ryan is a true servant leader who consistently models the principle, 'Be hard on the process, not on the people.' He does not simply say this — he lives it daily through his actions, decisions, and interactions. He is a strong advocate for his team and for evidence-based quality improvement, ensuring that meaningful, sustainable change remains patient-centered and grounded in best practice.

"Ryan also is widely respected across the hospital for his ability to navigate difficult conversations with professionalism, respect, and effectiveness. He is personable, hardworking, and thoughtful in his approach, which allows him to build trust across departments and roles. His leadership has supported quality improvement work impacting every perioperative site and role, requiring coordination, persistence, and a deep understanding of system-level change.

"Ryan leads in a way that creates safety, support, and space for growth. He balances high expectations with genuine encouragement, giving team members the confidence to take on new challenges knowing they have his support. He actively supports individual goals while also assigning opportunities that stretch skills, all while recognizing and valuing the important work being done.

"One of Ryan’s greatest strengths is his ability to lead through thoughtful questioning rather than directives. He guides team members toward their own realizations, helping us learn how to think through complex problems, trust our instincts, and grow in confidence as leaders. This approach has had a direct impact on my professional development, allowing me to feel comfortable taking on new responsibilities and confident when working outside of my comfort zone.

"During a large, long-term perioperative quality improvement project that impacted every site and role, I relied heavily on Ryan’s guidance and support. He listened to my concerns, helped break the work into manageable steps, and consistently reinforced that I was capable. Because of his leadership, the project felt achievable, and I felt supported throughout the process. Ryan’s mentorship, advocacy, and leadership have made a lasting impact on both individuals and the broader perioperative community. He truly exemplifies the values recognized by the DAISY Nurse Leader Award and is deeply deserving of this recognition."

Katie Mundell, BSN, RN, also nominated McDonald:

"Ryan is the type of leader we should all strive to become. 'Be hard on the process, easy on the people': He strives to ensure that all work is focused on finding the root cause in an environment free from blaming. He encourages problem-solving through team collaboration and emphasizes the importance of listening to individual perspectives in order to achieve mutual understanding and sustainable outcomes. The passion for his work and the commitment to his team are admirable.

"The first time I met Ryan, in the interview for a Quality Coordinator position, I knew he possessed the leadership skills of an amazing boss. For the months preceding my transition, Ryan took me in as a member of the UVA Health Quality Team, even though I wasn't an official team member yet. When Ryan told me he wanted to have a 1-on-1 meeting each week, I was nervous. Having a boss who wanted to talk with me on a regular basis was new. Now, I have come to love these meetings. Ryan delivers feedback that allows me to reflect on my work and brings to light areas of both success and improvement. He asks questions that make me critically think which in turn leads me in the direction I should be heading. He provides guidance and encouragement which pushes me to ask questions, to seek answers, and to collaborate with others. He makes me want to be the best that I can be; a leader. I feel there is no better leader than one who aids others to thrive in their careers and be leaders themselves. That is Ryan!"

'I Am Going to Be With My Other Family!'

Tensi Cimino, BSN, RN, CV-BC, nominated Samuel:

"It is rare to work with someone who leads with such dedication, compassion, and strength. Felicia consistently goes above and beyond, not because she has to, but because she genuinely cares about the success of her team and the work we do. She consistently takes the burden off her team by jumping into patient care when staffing is short, whether that be in the tech role or the RN role. Her work ethic is truly inspiring! No matter how demanding the day may be, she approaches every challenge with determination, professionalism, and grace.

"What impresses me most is her remarkable ability to multitask. She manages countless responsibilities, supports multiple team members, solves problems as they arise, and keeps everything moving forward — all while remaining approachable, calm, and positive. Even when balancing competing priorities, she never loses sight of the people around her.

"Felicia also creates an environment in which team members feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best. She takes the time to listen, offer guidance, and celebrate the successes of others. She takes the time to hold staff appreciation time once a month to get her team together for a stress-free period (she provides crafts and treats, and puts so much effort into this time), which means a lot to her team. Her leadership extends far beyond managing tasks — she inspires confidence, encourages growth, and makes a lasting difference in the lives of those she works with!

"I am incredibly grateful for everything she does. Her dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her team do not go unnoticed. She is an exceptional manager, an outstanding leader, and someone who deserves recognition for the positive impact she makes every day. She is truly one of a kind and we love her so much!!"

Melissa Casper, BSN, RN, also nominated Samuel:

"I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Felicia! She is so caring and compassionate to her team and the patients ... and consistently gone above and beyond to support our team, optimize our workflows, and provide exceptional patient care. Felicia invests in the professional growth of every team member while fostering a high performing culture. Instead of micromanaging, she empowers team members' workstreams based on their individual career growths goals. She provides open-door support, implements feedback, and ensures every team member feels heard and supported.

"Felicia protects the team from burnout. She shows empathy and puts together staff appreciation meetings with team building crafts, ice cream parties, and waffle parties. These little get togethers have brought our team closer. We enjoy these times, as we get to laugh and praise our strengths as a team. In all of the years I have been a nurse, I have never felt a part of team like I do here in Heart and Vascular.

"Felicia has built a strong team through her dedication and empathy. We have laughed together, cried together, but most importantly — we all care for each other. I do not wake up every day and say, 'I’m going to work.' I wake up and say, 'I am going to be with my other family.' This team would not be as strong as we are without Felicia as our leader. She goes above and beyond every day with a smile and is a bright star.

"I always say, 'I want to be like Felicia when I grow up.' If you could look Felicia up in the dictionary, you would find definition of what a true leader is: empathetic, compassionate, professional, and empowering. 

"On a personal level, Felicia may not know but she was my rock when I was having a hard time .... She listened when I needed to talk. She continues to reach out and check up on me to see how I am doing. This is not done in a manger-to-team member manner — it is a family-to-family connection. We are not just co-workers we are a family. She has built a strong family in our team. I have become a stronger person and push myself to be better and believe that I am able to be the strong, compassionate nurse that I set out to be so many years ago."

Know a Fabulous Nurse?
"DAISY" stands for "Diseases Attacking the Immune System." The DAISY Award was established by The DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of only 33 of an autoimmune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of his nurses — so they created this national award to thank nurses everywhere.

At UVA Health University Medical Center — patients or their families, visitors, and team members may submit a DAISY Award nomination.