Vanderbilt Health Nursing Archive — Page 2 of 27

Katie Leavy, RN, smiles while holding a green DAISY Foundation award folder in a hospital hallway. The folder reads, “The DAISY Foundation” and “Honoring nurses internationally in memory of J. Patrick Barnes.”
July 20, 2026

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘Despite this not being the birth I had envisioned, I still came away feeling overwhelmingly positive, and that is entirely because of Katie.’

Katie Leavy, RN, works in the Labor and Delivery unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
Portrait of Deonna Taylor smiling, with long dark hair and wearing a black jacket against a warmly lit, blurred indoor background.
July 9, 2026

Deonna Taylor named Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Adult Ambulatory Nursing

In her new role, Taylor will continue providing strategic leadership for nursing practice across more than 400 ambulatory clinical sites across Middle Tennessee, providing diagnostic, surgical, infusion, primary care, specialty care and home-based services.

By Kylie Avery
Lori Martin, MBA, BSN, RT(R)
July 8, 2026

Lori Martin named COO/CNO at Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital

In this dual capacity, Martin will be responsible for overseeing operations, driving growth and supporting care teams, reflecting both the importance of the function and the strong leadership she brings to VBCH. 

Lauren Beaulieu, identified in the caption as an RN, BSN, smiles while holding a small abstract sculpture in a bright hospital corridor.
June 18, 2026

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘I have never experienced such exceptional care and kindness.’

Lauren Beaulieu, BSN, RN, works in the Adult Medicine and Women’s unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
Nurse Jenny Shelton, RN, stands in a hospital hallway holding a nursing award plaque and a dark trophy. The plaque reads “The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses” and names Jenny Shelton, RN.
June 18, 2026

DAISY Award spotlight: ‘I can never repay her for what she did and the way she took care of us.’

Jenny Shelton, RN, works in the Women’s Center at Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

By Kylie Avery
Karen Keady speaks into a handheld microphone while holding a presentation remote in a brick-walled event space; another attendee sits in the background.
June 17, 2026

Vanderbilt Health advances nursing innovation and workforce well-being in ‘Strong by Design’ State of Nursing address 

She highlighted several systemic and financial programs designed to improve departmental collaboration between frontline staff and operational teams, and better support workforce well-being and professional growth.  

By Kylie Avery