DAISY Nurse Leader Award—Kelly MacPherson, R.N., M.S., Ed.D., N.E.A.-B.C., N.P.D.-B.C.
Nurse Leader Awards
DAISY Nurse Leader Award: Kelly MacPherson, R.N., M.S., Ed.D., N.E.A.-B.C., N.P.D.-B.C.
Center for Professional Practice of Nursing
Kelly MacPherson is the epitome of a DAISY Nurse Leader. Kelly has been the leader at the Center for Professional Practice of Nursing for 12 years, steering UC Davis Health’s professional development through monumental shifts and challenges. Through her keen and insightful direction during her tenure, the department has successfully supported multiple Magnet initiatives as well as the establishment of Professional Governance and our Nursing Professional Practice Model. She was instrumental in guiding the creation and ongoing implementation of the New Graduate Nurse Residency and its national accreditation with distinction through PTAP. She supports nursing students, advocating to ensure their experiences are of the highest quality possible, not only to strengthen the future workforce and nursing practice here, but, as a true educator at heart, to promote the growth of students as individual nurses.
Kelly is an incredibly strategic and visionary leader, able to foresee upcoming trends and plan for the future. As a transformational leader, she leads by example, with genuine caring, inspiring and motivating staff to perform at the highest level possible. She truly promotes a culture of empowerment and excellence in which staff are called to service, developing them into leaders and exceptional NPD specialists. She supports the professional development of her own staff pursuing advanced degrees and certifications, as well as the entire staff of UC Davis Health in the work she leads. Kelly's leadership style has enabled staff to become creative, autonomous leaders in their own right.
Kelly is an engaged leader who listens closely and helps problem-solve when issues arise, facilitating a safe, trusting environment in which staff are comfortable bringing concerns. She operates with mutual respect and compassion, engaging staff in a kind, transparent way. She communicates priorities and direction clearly, ensures understanding and accountability, and promotes regular staff recognition. Kelly is exceedingly accessible, responsive, and nonjudgmental, always advocating for the best processes and outcomes for healthcare staff and patients.
The consensus in the department is that Kelly is one of the best managers, if not the singular best, that staff have had. She is devoted, kind, admirable, respected, keenly insightful, sincere, dedicated, and teaches us all daily. Her direct and thoughtful communication style, knowledge of education and Nursing Professional Development, and leadership have developed us all as nurses, educators, and leaders. The sheer scope of what she has contributed to UC Davis cannot be encapsulated in a short nomination, but we can say, without a doubt, that her impact is resonant throughout the organization. Her legacy is indelible, felt amongst all her staff and beyond. We count ourselves privileged to work with her. With full confidence, we believe she deserves the DAISY Nurse Leader award recognition.