DAISY Award—Diane Woods
Diane Woods, Associate CNO and Executive Director
Ambulatory Care Practice
DAISY Nurse Leader Award
I would like to nominate Diane Woods for the UC Davis DAISY Nurse Leaser Award. I believe Diane is the definition of a DAISY nurse for her skilled leadership and her incredible impact in the care we provide our patients daily. Diane is a fierce advocate for ambulatory nursing and has been instrumental in many of the incredible advances in nursing leadership at the clinic level. Her excitement about the specialty is contagious and is personally responsible for recruiting myself from an inpatient specialty that I never saw myself leaving into ambulatory care. She is a true visionary, creating intoxicating enthusiasm for progress in the ambulatory care areas and generates a supportive and caring environment for all her staff. During my short time in Ambulatory Care, she has promoted by own professional development by sending me to a conference and encouraging me to obtain my specialty certification. Diane treats all within her team with compassion, understanding and the highest levels of mutual respect. As someone in the highest levels of leadership, she could remain in her silo when making decisions, but she has always acknowledged the strength of her team and encourages working “outside the silos.”
Diane is also integral to promoting ambulatory nursing on a state and national level. Diane regularly meets with nursing leader across the UCs to share ideas and ensure the highest standards of care. Diane is also very involved with the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing and the American Nursing Association to promote leader mentorship and growth across the nation. With all this, Diane has never told me a question was “too small” or insignificant to bring to her and her door has always been open for professional or personal issues. Few leaders make me feel that they truly care about their team, but Diane approaches leadership with the compassion and kindness of a nurse. I am privileged to work for such an amazing leader, and I hope she is considered for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
I am immensely proud and honored to nominate Diane Woods for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. In her role as Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Ambulatory, Diane has exemplified unparalleled leadership and commitment to the growth and excellence of the ambulatory care nursing profession. Her dedication has not only enhanced our organization’s capabilities but has also fostered and environment of professional development and mentorship among nurse leaders. Her vision to better integrate the Ambulatory Care Division into the UC Health System and to focus on the ambulatory care nursing education and pivotal for our community’s health.
Under Diane’s leadership, our ambulatory care services have expanded and improved, reflecting their innovative strategies and forward-thinking. She has been essential in successfully implementing cutting-edge clinical practices that have enhanced patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. Diane has been instrumental in integrating evidence-based practices into our daily routines, significantly elevating the standard of care we deliver to our community. She acts as a mentor and example to our ambulatory care clinical nurses and continuously encourages nurses to obtain their specialty certification and perform duties at the top of their licensure.
Moreover, Diane has been an exceptional mentor to emerging nurse leaders, guiding them through the complexities of healthcare leadership with wisdom and patience. Her mentorship program had developed a supportive network that encourages open communication, collaborative problem-solving, and continuous learning. She consistently provides opportunities for nurses to engage in leadership roles, ensuring they are prepared for future challenges within the healthcare landscape. Her linguistic talent in developing recruiting emailed in my opinion is unmatched.
She has also championed numerous initiatives aimed at professional development, including specialized training program that address the unique challenges of ambulatory care nursing. These programs have not only increased the competence and confidence of our nursing staff but have also increased our ambulatory care nurse’s personal satisfaction with their roles.
It is with great admiration that I nominate Diane Woods for this prestigious award. Her visionary leadership and dedication to nurturing the next generation of nurses and nurse leaders make her an outstanding candidate for the DAISY award. Thank you for considering this nomination. I am confident that Diane’s contributions to the nursing professional and our community make her a deserving recipient of this recognition.