Lesley
Cook
May 2021
Lesley
Cook
,
MSN, RN
Nursing Excellence
Sentara RMH Medical Center
Harrisonburg
,
VA
United States
Lesley is a leader who always puts others first--patients, families, and her peers as she leads with a quiet yet powerful presence.
I am honored to nominate Lesley Cook for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. This is a way of expressing our gratitude for her contributions to SRMH, to the profession of nursing, and to her legacy of extraordinary, compassionate nursing practice.
Lesley joined RMH as a new graduate on July 10, 1995. She received her BSN from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. She began her career as a staff nurse on 2S. After her first year of nursing, she became a charge nurse and preceptor. In 2005, Lesley was promoted to Nurse Manager of 5W (Med/Surg) and Pediatrics. In 2006, she was part of the nursing leadership team that designed and implemented the first Nursing Shared Governance structure for RMH. Her role changed in 2008 when she became the Recruitment/Retention and Education/Diabetes/WOCN Department Nurse Manager. In 2009, she received her MSN from Walden University with a specialty in Leadership & Management.
During the move to the new hospital in 2010, Lesley played a key role, serving as a lead sequencer for the patient move. In 2014, Lesley led SRMH to our first ANCC Magnet® designation and then accepted a regional role as Blue Ridge Regional Director of Nursing Excellence, where she also helped lead SMJH to their third ANCC Magnet® designation in 2016. Lesley helped implement the Vizient Nurse Residency Program for all new nurse graduates at the system and local level in 2016. In 2018, she returned full-time to SRMH and led SRMH to our 2nd ANCC Magnet® designation in 2019. In addition, she has also served as the liaison to our nursing schools, NDNQI Site Coordinator, and DAISY program coordinator. Lesley has also be instrumental in coordinating events for Certified Nurses Day, Nurses Week, Nursing Symposium, and Education Fairs over many years. Lesley holds a Nurse Executive Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Lesley is a leader who always puts others first--patients, families, and her peers as she leads with a quiet yet powerful presence. Her “can-do” attitude makes everyone realize that even when something seems impossible it can be accomplished. She drives these accomplishments through teamwork. Her ability to lead you to always go above and beyond and do your best pushes you to think differently and to challenge your nursing practice. Her organizational skills are unmatched. It is a guarantee that Lesley will be several steps ahead of you in anything she does! She is always driven to do her best and exceed expectations. I can confidentially say that from working with her over the past few years, she has consistently driven me to perform at a higher level.
When I read the description of a DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, I believe it was created for Lesley Cook! It perfectly describes what Lesley does each and every day. She comes to work with a desire to make that day better for each patient that we serve as an organization. In addition, she is always looking for ways to improve our nursing practice and opportunities for our nursing staff. Her distinguished career in clinical practice, administration, and education also promote a positive image of professional nursing as she is truly nursing’s biggest advocate. She values the professional development of herself and others and advocates for the continuous improvement of patient care and experience.
I personally hold so many special memories with Lesley by my side. I will miss my officemate. I will miss someone who has been such an incredible colleague and role model to me over the last few years. But more importantly, I will miss an amazing friend. However, I can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes Lesley—we know for certain she will bring a high level of professionalism and compassion to that adventure. We are going to greatly miss her expertise, but we are excited for her as she makes the move to her dream location and home. From myself, all SRMH nurses and staff, and the profession of nursing, we are all grateful for You and your commitment and dedication. You are a treasured colleague and friend…best wishes to you always!
Lesley joined RMH as a new graduate on July 10, 1995. She received her BSN from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. She began her career as a staff nurse on 2S. After her first year of nursing, she became a charge nurse and preceptor. In 2005, Lesley was promoted to Nurse Manager of 5W (Med/Surg) and Pediatrics. In 2006, she was part of the nursing leadership team that designed and implemented the first Nursing Shared Governance structure for RMH. Her role changed in 2008 when she became the Recruitment/Retention and Education/Diabetes/WOCN Department Nurse Manager. In 2009, she received her MSN from Walden University with a specialty in Leadership & Management.
During the move to the new hospital in 2010, Lesley played a key role, serving as a lead sequencer for the patient move. In 2014, Lesley led SRMH to our first ANCC Magnet® designation and then accepted a regional role as Blue Ridge Regional Director of Nursing Excellence, where she also helped lead SMJH to their third ANCC Magnet® designation in 2016. Lesley helped implement the Vizient Nurse Residency Program for all new nurse graduates at the system and local level in 2016. In 2018, she returned full-time to SRMH and led SRMH to our 2nd ANCC Magnet® designation in 2019. In addition, she has also served as the liaison to our nursing schools, NDNQI Site Coordinator, and DAISY program coordinator. Lesley has also be instrumental in coordinating events for Certified Nurses Day, Nurses Week, Nursing Symposium, and Education Fairs over many years. Lesley holds a Nurse Executive Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Lesley is a leader who always puts others first--patients, families, and her peers as she leads with a quiet yet powerful presence. Her “can-do” attitude makes everyone realize that even when something seems impossible it can be accomplished. She drives these accomplishments through teamwork. Her ability to lead you to always go above and beyond and do your best pushes you to think differently and to challenge your nursing practice. Her organizational skills are unmatched. It is a guarantee that Lesley will be several steps ahead of you in anything she does! She is always driven to do her best and exceed expectations. I can confidentially say that from working with her over the past few years, she has consistently driven me to perform at a higher level.
When I read the description of a DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, I believe it was created for Lesley Cook! It perfectly describes what Lesley does each and every day. She comes to work with a desire to make that day better for each patient that we serve as an organization. In addition, she is always looking for ways to improve our nursing practice and opportunities for our nursing staff. Her distinguished career in clinical practice, administration, and education also promote a positive image of professional nursing as she is truly nursing’s biggest advocate. She values the professional development of herself and others and advocates for the continuous improvement of patient care and experience.
I personally hold so many special memories with Lesley by my side. I will miss my officemate. I will miss someone who has been such an incredible colleague and role model to me over the last few years. But more importantly, I will miss an amazing friend. However, I can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes Lesley—we know for certain she will bring a high level of professionalism and compassion to that adventure. We are going to greatly miss her expertise, but we are excited for her as she makes the move to her dream location and home. From myself, all SRMH nurses and staff, and the profession of nursing, we are all grateful for You and your commitment and dedication. You are a treasured colleague and friend…best wishes to you always!