Years ago, I wrote a poem about nursing... "I am more than a mother, wife, or woman. I am the gentle touch, the warm blanket tucked in under your feet, fresh water to the lips, a shared tear, a soft hug, a talk with God, and the last scene in your eyes. The short moments in a shift add up to a lifetime of grace. A nurse is empathy, compassion, intelligence, hard and soft shells, but mostly a nurse is emotion that are defined by a particular moment or need expressed in delivery of service".

I have struggled with how to document the amount of profound gratitude I have for Vicki Bridegroom. Vicki is my Nurse Manager in Surgical Services. I have been a nurse for 27 years (not all at BayCare) and provided care to thousands of patients; however, none were more challenging and emotionally exhausting than caring for my husband in his final moments. The sadness of these moments is still so very fresh. Nurse Manager is a title. Nurse Manager is not the definition of Vicki as a person and a co-worker. Vicki is the part of my poem that describes short moments in life. Moments, when she offered me grace, empathy, and compassion, are too numerous to document.

I had only worked for Vicki a short time when my husband became terminally ill, an unexpected diagnosis. We moved to Florida in 2021, expecting to have many more years together. We left our family in Missouri, and I did not know many people beyond work and our new church. Vicki embraced me and my needs as if she had known me my whole career. She prayed for me and my family. Vicki's role as Nurse Manager, making sure my FMLA was approved, keeping up to date on my situation, and reassuring me that my position would be waiting for me upon my return is part of her leadership role. Her communication with me on a personal level was purely the compassion and caring of an exceptional woman and Child of God. Vicki continues to provide support and comfort to me both professionally and personally. I truly enjoy working for BayCare and the Leadership Team of Surgical Services. In the years ahead, I will look back on this moment in my life journey and fondly remember the kindness extended to me. "Leadership is action, not position.” 

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Being a nurse leader is a very difficult job, and it takes a special person with compassion, commitment, and visionary thinking to build a cohesive team. I have been blessed to work with and be mentored by several great nursing leaders throughout my nursing career, so it was easy for me to identify an awesome leader developing before my eyes. I am speaking about Vicki Bridegroom, Nurse Manager for the Main OR at Morton Plant. She is highly respected by her team, physicians and colleagues as she advocates for them daily so they can provide the best care possible to our patients. Vicki inspires and supports others to grow and reach their professional goals. She is a role model to her team as she doesn’t hesitate to jump into any role by scrubbing in a case, mopping the OR floor, or transporting a patient. Vicki makes it a priority to know her team members not only professionally but also personally. She connects with each one of them, making them feel valued and an important member of the team. I feel lucky to have worked with Vicky for the past 25 years and have her on my leadership team. She is a kind, compassionate, and caring individual who would go above and beyond for anyone. She is a true DAISY Nurse.