Leading with Heart: Celebrating Our DAISY Nurse Leader Winners
In healthcare, leadership isn't just about managing teams or overseeing operations—it's about inspiring excellence, fostering compassion, and driving positive change. True nurse leaders create an environment where both patients and colleagues feel supported and valued. The DAISY Nurse Leader Award recognizes those extraordinary individuals who embody these qualities, shaping the future of care through their dedication and vision.
This award shines a spotlight on leaders who create a compassionate and skillful environment. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt in every aspect of patient care. From mentoring staff to implementing innovative new processes, these leaders are the backbone of their institutions.
We are proud to celebrate two exceptional individuals who have recently earned this prestigious honor: Mark Heberlein and Tammy Fogg. Their stories demonstrate the profound difference that dedicated leadership can make in healthcare.
Mark Heberlein: A Beacon of Stability and Expertise
Mark Heberlein, the current interim cardiac cath lab director at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, is a shining example of what it means to be a DAISY Nurse Leader. With a career spanning three decades in emergency and interventional cardiology, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. His nominator praised him for embodying true leadership by enhancing the continuity of patient care and building strong, collaborative relationships within his department.
Since starting his assignment in June 2024, Mark has been instrumental in creating a stable and supportive environment. His leadership style is built on a foundation of partnership and respect. He firmly believes that nursing, in collaboration with physicians and support staff, is central to delivering compassionate patient care. "I am a committed nursing professional with my BSN and master's in business," Mark explains. "I fully believe in an efficient and effective healthcare system where our patients receive the best care available."
With 20 years of leadership experience, including serving as a Chief Nursing Officer, Mark understands the complexities of the healthcare system. He consistently demonstrates that effective leadership is not just about making decisions but about empowering others.
By fostering strong peer relationships and ensuring smooth care transitions, he has made a tangible impact on both his team and the patients they serve. Mark's dedication to creating a cohesive and high-performing team makes him a deserving recipient of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
Tammy Fogg: Transforming Care Through Vision and Dedication
Tammy Fogg’s recent DAISY Nurse Leader Award is a testament to a career defined by transformative leadership and unwavering commitment. Her nominator celebrated her for an "extraordinary" and "lasting impact in every facility she has worked." Tammy’s legacy is built on 19 successful leadership engagements over 14 years, where she has consistently stepped in to guide teams through periods of significant change.
Most recently, as an interim nurse leader at an Ambulatory Surgery Center, Tammy spearheaded one of the facility’s most ambitious projects: a complete redesign and reconstruction of all its operating rooms. This complex, state-of-the-art transformation, which concluded in April, elevated the center's surgical capabilities and patient experience. Her nominator noted, "From room reconfiguration to cutting-edge technology integration, every detail was managed with precision, foresight, and purpose."
Throughout the project, Tammy was a source of stability and clear communication for the surgical teams. She expertly balanced the logistical demands of a large-scale renovation with the ongoing needs of patient care, ensuring safety and morale remained high. Her nominator added, "She doesn’t just fill a role; she transforms it."
With over 40 years in the perioperative field, Tammy's passion for surgical services remains as strong as ever. "As a young nurse and because of the intensity and mystery of the OR, I was immediately drawn to Surgical Services," she recalls. This passion evolved into a distinguished leadership career focused on operations, evidence-based practice, and clinical safety.
"My experience in leadership has continually challenged me to enhance efficiency in clinical practice, customer service, physician/staff satisfaction, conflict resolution, supply chain management, and business optimization," Tammy says.
Upon receiving the award, Tammy expressed her gratitude, stating, "It's been an incredible journey, and I have been abundantly blessed. Thank you for this award, and I am both humbled and grateful to have been of service." Her legacy is now embedded in the state-of-the-art operating rooms she helped build and in the countless professionals she has inspired.
The DAISY Awards: A Foundation of Excellent Care
The achievements of Mark Heberlein and Tammy Fogg highlight the essential role of nurse leadership in healthcare. They demonstrate that leadership is about action, compassion, and a relentless commitment to improving the lives of others. By fostering environments of excellence and support, they empower their teams to deliver the best possible care.
Their stories are a powerful reminder of the impact one dedicated leader can have on an entire organization. We congratulate both Mark and Tammy on their well-deserved DAISY Nurse Leader Awards and thank them for their incredible contributions to the nursing profession.
