Celebrating the 2026 Nurses Week Award winners.

Hope's dedication, vision, and compassion has transformed patient care, empowered her team, and elevated nursing practice within our organization and beyond. Under her leadership, the unit earned the AACN Silver Beacon of Excellence designation (January 2025) and other FY25 outcomes include 80% CLABSI reduction, 80% VAE reduction, and 50% Falls reduction. Additionally, the team has maintained zero CAUTI since March 2024 and zero MRSA bacteremia since October 2021. She also co-led development of Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Guidelines, now utilized across multiple hospitals in South Carolina.

Her leadership motto, 'Where Nursing leads, excellence follows,' is evident in every initiative she champions. Through innovation, collaboration, and compassion, she has set a standard of excellence that impacts patients, families, and the nursing profession at large. Her influence reaches far beyond her unit—she inspires excellence, fosters growth, and exemplifies the heart of nursing leadership.

In a profession where the smallest details can make the biggest difference, Jessica consistently demonstrates that excellence is found not only in major clinical decisions, but also in the quiet, unseen moments of patient care.

What stands out most to me is the intentionality she brings to every aspect of caring for our babies. Nothing is ever rushed, estimated, or done 'close enough.' Every milliliter is measured precisely, every step is performed thoughtfully, and every action reflects her deep respect for the vulnerability of the patients we serve.

Jessica is deeply deserving of the Excellence in Clinical Practice Award because she represents what nursing should be at its core: integrity, precision, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to doing what is best for the patient every single time.

In difficult and high-pressure situations, Stephanie maintains a remarkable sense of calmness and composure. They are able to think clearly, make sound decisions, and provide reassurance to those around them. Their steady presence helps ease anxiety for patients, families, and colleagues alike. Even during stressful moments, they remain professional, focused, and compassionate, creating a sense of stability and trust. Through their actions, Stephanie embodies kindness not only in words but in consistent, thoughtful care, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

A patient that was recently cared for by Stephanie said, 'This nurse helped me during my stay in the ICU while I was in a coma. While I wasn't mentally there, hearing about the care they had to keep me in the best shape they could, given the circumstances, was truly remarkable. The ICU was becoming crazy and overwhelming and I was becoming scared and agitated waiting for my breathing tube to be taken out. She became my number one advocate to help get my breathing tube out as soon as possible. Having a nurse fight for you to be prioritized during my most uncomfortable and horrible moments, meant the world.'