Tamera Dunseth Rosenbaum, DNP, RN, NE-BC 

“In my role, I am honored to hear so many amazing stories from our nurses and care teams. ‘Caring at the Core’ means creating a culture where every patient and family feels seen, valued and supported not only through clinical excellence, but through genuine human connection. Nurses have the privilege of bringing life into the world and the honor of holding the hand of someone who is dying, while also celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and weddings at the bedside — helping patients and families create meaningful moments even in the midst of illness or uncertainty. These acts of compassion reflect the true heart of nursing: caring for the whole person and honoring life’s most profound moments with dignity, empathy, and love.”

Anita Becker, DNP, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC 

“To me, ‘Caring at the Core’ means leading with both my head and my heart — caring deeply for our patients, supporting one another through challenges, and never forgetting that human connection is at the center of healing. It is the commitment to pair compassion with excellence, creating environments where all people feel seen, heard, safe and supported while advancing the highest quality of care. ‘Caring at the Core’ is not simply what we do at the bedside; it is how we lead, develop others, advocate for our communities, and ensure every action reflects dignity, respect and human connection.”

Noreen Bernard, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN  

“’Caring at the Core’ of nursing, to me, is rooted in genuine, authentic love for others. It lives in the relationships we build and the trust we earn as we walk alongside people through life’s most profound moments and quiet, everyday challenges. No matter the role, nursing is a true calling and a labor of love.” 

Heidi Bradley, MSN, RN, CENP

“’Caring at the Core’ means going beyond medical treatment to build meaningful connections with patients and their families. It represents the essence of nursing—blending clinical expertise with compassion, understanding and advocacy. It is about treating every individual with dignity and empathy, while recognizing them as whole people, not just a diagnosis.”

Cathleen Ehrenfeucht, MS, RN 

“’Caring at the Core’ means leading with compassion that goes beyond our interactions with patients. It truly encompasses our teams and each other. When we actively support, respect and uplift one another, we create an environment where exceptional care naturally flourishes. This spirit of shared commitment not only strengthens our people, but also directly enhances the outcomes we deliver to our patients.”

Kelly Gallegos, MBA, BSN, RN  

“To me, ‘Caring at the Core’ is reflected in the countless ways nurses go beyond medical care to create meaningful human connection for patients and families. I think about nurses braiding a patient’s hair, creating a calmer environment with white noise and soft lighting, helping hospice patients enjoy favorite meals or renew wedding vows, and even working to reunite families from across the world for an honor walk. Those moments of compassion, dignity and connection are what make nursing so incredibly special.”

Amy Hassell MSN, BSN, RN  

“’Caring at the Core’ to me means: Who we are and how we lead regardless of our role. It’s putting the patient at the center of our decisions and actions. It’s also how we show up to support one another as a team and lead through good times, uncertain times, changing times and tough circumstances. Nursing is the heart and soul of every healthcare organization because we do care at our core, and we lead through all the circumstances for our patients and put them first.”

Jenny Kaufman, MSN, BSN, RN

“’Caring at the Core’ means making every decision and every interaction intentional — focusing on patient access, continuity and compassion. It’s about pairing clinical excellence with human connection, empowering staff and ensuring equity — so every patient and team member feels truly cared for.

An example could be a care team proactively reaching out to a patient after a procedure. They check in to see how the patient is doing, answer any questions and guide them through next steps — ensuring the patient never feels lost or alone in their recovery.”

Crystal Mecham, MSN, BS, RN

“’Caring at the Core’ means placing people at the center of every decision. Whether supporting a patient, a family member or a member of our healthcare team, our greatest opportunity as leaders is to create a culture where compassion, excellence and human connection thrive together.”

Jamie Nordhagen, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

“’Caring at the Core’ is where deep clinical expertise meets genuine human connection — where every patient is seen as a person with a unique lived experience, not a room number or diagnosis. It’s when compassion is not viewed as an accessory, but is woven into who we are, guiding every decision, every interaction and every outcome. You see it in the quiet moments that rarely make headlines but stay with people forever — when a nurse lingers a little longer to ease fear, breaks down the complex into something a patient or family can understand, or recognizes a need before it’s ever spoken.”

Tammy Piccone, MSN, RN, NEA-BC  

“’Caring at the Core’ means creating a space where every patient feels safe, respected, and truly seen, especially in their most vulnerable moments. It is the seamless integration of clinical excellence and authentic compassion that defines nursing.”

Jennifer Rodgers, DNP, ACNP-BC, FAANP  

“In this complex and sometimes uncertain healthcare climate we are in, the most important thing we can always do is take care of ourselves and take care of others. ‘Caring at the Core’ is nursing, the art and science come together. Caring is the heart and soul of our profession. This keeps me grounded on my purpose and always brings me back to my ‘why.’”

Maggie Welte, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

“To me, ‘Caring to the Core’ means patients first. I think tying our behaviors back to patients first, is an easy way to live out our Mission of improving lives. Whether it is quality, safety or patient experience, when you lead from the patient first perspective, you can’t go wrong.”

Brian West, MBA, BSN, CMSRN 

“As a nurse, I believe ‘Caring at the Core’ means leading with compassion, honoring the dignity of every person, and staying grounded in the essential elements of care. It is a commitment to serving others with empathy and purpose, while working tirelessly to remove barriers so each patient can feel safe, supported, and truly cared for.”

Jessie Willard, MSN, RN, CENP  

“Healthcare is very complex and dynamic, ‘Caring at the Core’ to me means always trying to keep what’s best for your patient and your team at the center of your decisions. It keeps me grounded in knowing the most important thing we can do is create human connection.”