Tune in now to the final Season 4 Moments Move Us episode with Rebecca Coren 🎧
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New Podcast Episode:
Creating Change Through Connection: Leadership Lessons from Season 4 with host Rebecca Coren
In honor of National Nurses Week, Wambi recognizes nurses across the country who embody the values of compassion, gratitude, joy, imagination, and fearlessness.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — May 12, 2025 | Recognition platform Wambi, a leader in healthcare culture transformation, announces the winners of their annual “Nurse of the Year” award.
In 2021, Wambi launched the Nurse of the Year Award to shine a light on the outstanding nurses serving patients and loved ones nation-wide. The purpose of this annual initiative is to promote nurse recognition, inspire feelings of teamwork and camaraderie, and boost appreciation and optimism among nurses. As more than one-third of nurses plan to leave their current organization within a year and over 80% see no improvement in the profession, it is vital for organizations to provide opportunities for nurses to feel valued, a sense of belonging, and connected to their purpose and each other.
During April 2025, users from participating clients encouraged to nominate a nurse who they believe embodies one of Wambi’s core values of compassion, gratitude, joy, imagination, and fearlessness.
The winner of the 2025 Wambi Nurse of the Year Award is Kathie Ratliff!
Congratulations to Kathie Ratliff, RN at IU Health in Indiana for being selected as the 2025 Wambi Nurse of the Year! She was nominated by her teammate Kristina Cast, who said, “Kathie truly goes above and beyond for every ECMO patient she cares for. ECMO is the highest level of life support that you can get at the bedside and these patients are critically sick. For these kids and their families, every second matters and Kathie makes sure to make every moment count. She is kind and empathetic. She wears her heart on her sleeve and, in the past couple of months, she has dealt with some of the most heartbreaking patients. The death of a child isn’t natural and yet she is at the bedside caring for that child and their family with a level of care that is unmatched. She makes families feel seen and makes those awful moments a little brighter just with her presence and compassion.”
She continued, “Kathie emits joy everywhere she goes and maintains a positive attitude through the ever-changing medical world. I am honored to have Kathie as a member of my team, and I am confident that I’d want her at the bedside of my own child. She truly is a beam of light through all the darkness that comes with your child being in the ICU. She is an expert in her field and challenges herself to learn every day. If anyone deserves the ‘Nurse of the Year’ award, it is, without a doubt, Kathie Ratliff.”
Congratulations to five honorable mentions who were also selected, each aligning with one of the Wambi core values.
As burnout and retention challenges continue to impact this crucial workforce, the Wambi Nurse of the Year Award serves to unite nurses and promote gratitude during these demanding times. Wambi cofounder Alexandra Coren adds, “At Wambi, we have the unique privilege of seeing so many stories about nurses who embody the ideals of this special profession all year long. Kathie is clearly a standout in how she cares for her patients in their most difficult moments with unwavering empathy. Congratulations to Kathie and our honorary mentions on these well-deserved honors!”
About Wambi
Originally created in a hospital by and for healthcare professionals, Wambi is the pioneering platform exclusively dedicated to transforming healthcare culture, combining real-time patient and family gratitude with gamification to inspire and connect professionals, patients, and families. Wambi delivers tailored solutions to boost retention, enhance patient experience, champion quality and safety initiatives, and elevate organizational performance.
By weaving together everyday moments and stories shared by patients, leaders, and peers, Wambi empowers employees to feel deeply appreciated and seen for their unique contributions, fostering engagement, fulfillment, and trust, while bridging the gap between leaders and frontline teams. Discover healthcare’s happy place at Wambi.org.
For more ways to celebrate National Nurses Week and recognize nurses all year long, visit the Nurse Resources page.
In honor of National Nurses Week, Wambi recognizes nurses across the country who embody the values of compassion, joy, imagination, gratitude and fearlessness.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — May 12, 2024 | Recognition platform Wambi, a leader in healthcare culture transformation, announces the winners of their annual “Nurse of the Year” award.
In 2021, Wambi launched the Nurse of the Year Award to shine a light on the outstanding nurses serving clients nationwide. The purpose of this annual initiative is to promote nurse recognition, inspire feelings of teamwork and camaraderie, and boost appreciation and optimism among nurses. As more than one-third of nurses plan to leave their current organization by the end of the year, it is vital for organizations to provide opportunities for nurses to feel valued, a sense of belonging, and connected to their purpose and each other.
During April 2024, users from participating clients were encouraged to nominate a nurse who they believe embodies one of Wambi’s core values of compassion, joy, imagination, gratitude and fearlessness.
The winner of the 2024 Wambi Nurse of the Year Award is Raul Gonzalez.
Congratulations to Raul Gonzalez, RN at University of Miami’s UHealth in Florida for being selected as the 2024 Wambi Nurse of the Year! Gonzalez was nominated by his teammate Julio Garcia, who said, “Raul has been an outstanding member of our healthcare team since joining us in 2020, and his contributions have been truly exceptional… His expertise in wound care has been instrumental in our efforts to reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries (HAPIs), aligning perfectly with our Zero Harm Projects. What truly sets Raul apart is his remarkable compassion, charisma, and proficiency as a nurse, as evidenced by the numerous accolades he has received from our patients on the Wambi platform. Raul embodies the core values of nursing and fully aligns with the mission of the University of Miami Health System.”
The impact that Gonzalez makes on both patients and team members is evident as he received 7 nominations, the most of any other nominee this year.
Congratulations to two honorable mentions who were also selected, each aligning with one of the Wambi core values.
As burnout and retention challenges continue to impact this crucial workforce, the Wambi Nurse of the Year Award serves to unite nurses and promote gratitude during these demanding times. Wambi cofounder Rebecca Coren adds, “At Wambi, we have the unique privilege of seeing so many stories about nurses who embody the ideals of this special profession all year long. Raul is clearly a standout in how he cares for his patients and works with his team. Congratulations to Raul and our honorary mentions on these well-deserved honors!”
With an exclusive focus on healthcare, Wambi leverages its expertise and deep understanding of the industry’s unique needs to provide specific, tailored solutions to help our clients increase retention rates, improve patient experience, and enhance organizational performance. The Wambi platform is the first and only real-time employee engagement and recognition system that engages both healthcare professionals and patients and families. Learn more about healthcare’s happy place at Wambi.org.
If you’ve been wondering how to show your appreciation to a special nurse in your life, lean into the love language of gift giving. Each of our gifts for nurses has been chosen with hardworking nurses in mind, honoring their year–round efforts to supply compassionate care to millions of Americans. Whether they’re on their toes all day long or have a proclivity for caffeine during long shifts, there are meaningful (and useful!) gifts for nurses. Make sure you put your orders in asap, so they arrive in time for National Nurses Week from May 6th to 12th!
The BALA shoes were such a hit on our previous Healthcare Holiday Gift Guides that they had to make a comeback on our gifts for nurses list! The first in “Her Design” footwear, each shoe was built to have a personalized and adaptive fit for women. And along with its inclusive build, each shoe is outfitted with the high-traction outsoles, HRS cushioning for 24-hour support and comfort, and a fluid resistant outer layer. Say hello to healthy and happy feet!
The right amount of mask-friendly bling. This family-owned jewelry company based out of Reading, MA has been using their 12 mm Swarovski® studs to make both a fashion statement, and a public health statement, for the nursing community. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the American Nurses Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund for Nurses. 10% off with the code STAT10.
Meet the candle that works as hard as you do. The NEOM candle doubles as both a scented candle and massage. Simply light the candle and wait for the oil to melt. Made with a cocoa seed butter base and infused with a blend of luxurious rapeseed, soybean, sweet almond, baobab, and jojoba oil, you can lather the melted wax into your fatigued skin for extra hydration and nourishment.
Our favorite recipe for success. Not all superheroes wear capes and when they’re not saving the world, they’re having normal lives just like us. Gift this shirt for maximum comfort while displaying professional pride when the scrubs are in the laundry. Comes in three colors: Light Gray, Dark Gray, and Heather Dark Navy.
These are not your ordinary scrubs. The much-raved about Figs scrubs are made with a trademark technical comfort technology, striking a seamless balance between comfort and functionality. Take their jogger scrub pants, with five utilitarian pockets hidden in a sleek and flattering pant design. Tailored in regular, tall, and short sizes. Fun fact: all the scrubs are named after places and people they’ve donated scrubs to through their Threads for Theads charity effort.
Nothing says personalized like seeing your face… on a pair of socks. For nurses with a sense of humor, these custom face socks will have them fully entertained. You can add up to five faces on each pair of socks, making it a great team gift for nurses.
Need a wardrobe refresh? All Seasons Uniforms is celebrating Nurses Week with discounts on all medical apparel found on their National Nurses Week page including scrubs, lab coats, protective coats, cleanroom clothing and more.
Inspired by the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, or the “Christmas Book Flood,” each December we share a book list to encourage a more fulfilling year ahead. While past lists have included recommendations from our internal Wambi team and community group members, to compile this year’s list, we turned to the inspiring guests from the Moments Move Us podcast.
“I always try to read books or articles or listen to podcasts that really focus on self-development,” shared Aaron Davis, Vice President and CXO at UMC Health System. In his episode, he mentions books that he has read personally, or has encouraged his team to read through a company book club.
Check out the books recommended by Aaron and other healthcare leaders during the latest season.
“Hardwiring Excellence” by Clint Studor
From its practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable strategies, “Hardwiring Excellence” by Clint Studor can help healthcare leaders looking to enhance the overall quality of care and performance of their organization. The book is based on Studer Group’s Nine Principles to create a success-based culture, which includes setting high expectations, tracking progress, ensuring better customer service, building strong leadership, engaging and empowering employees, being accountable, increasing communication, recognizing success, and aligning organizational values, goals, and results.
“Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins
What differentiates good companies from those that achieve enduring greatness? This idea is explored in Jim Collins’s “Good to Great.” While it can be an influential book for any industry leader, healthcare executives might find this read valuable for its insights on sustaining excellence, leadership principles, disciplined decision-making, and creating a culture of greatness within their organizations.
“Humbitious: The Power of Low-Ego, High-Drive Leadership” by Amer Kaissi
Professional speaker, executive coach, and Trinity University Professor Amer Kaissi shatters the common misconception that strong leaders are arrogant, and ego driven. In “Humbitious,” Kaissi instead recommends leadership that balances humility and ambition. Healthcare leaders that prioritize team collaboration, patient-centered care, engaging employees, and continuous learning set their teams and cultures up for better success.
Self-awareness and authenticity are part of a leader’s ability to show both humility and vulnerability, a common theme discussed by Moments Move Us guests. Embracing both qualities can lead to more meaningful connections, foster a positive and collaborative environment, and contribute to personal and professional growth.
“Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence That Caring Makes a Difference” by Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli
Cooper University Health Care and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University’s Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli share compelling new research which demonstrates that the healthcare industry is in the midst of a compassion crisis. Captivating stories from the frontlines and eye-opening data demonstrate how human connection and compassion can ultimately help reduce burnout among healthcare providers, improve quality care and patient outcomes, and build trust within the community.
“Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek
Helping employees connect with their meaning and purpose is one of the core elements to building a positive culture. A sense of purpose is tied to improved physical and mental health, lower stress levels, retention, and organizational performance.
“Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek explores the concept of starting with a clear sense of purpose or “why” in leadership and communication. The principles outlined in the book can help healthcare leaders build engaged teams, prioritize patient-centered care, and navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry with a clear and inspiring vision.
“Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork” by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy
“How can I do this?” This is a question we’ve been trained to ask ourselves when we want something accomplished. Instead, Expert Coach Dan Sullivan encourages us to shift our mindset to “Who can do this for me?” This idea emphasizes the importance of delegation and collaboration. Through this book, healthcare leaders can learn to lead more efficient and impactful teams.
Moments Move Us is a podcast hosted by Rebecca Coren, changemaker, healthcare advocate, and cofounder of Wambi. The show explores transformative stories from healthcare executives as they share impactful moments of human connection from their professional journeys. It’s these moments, the moments where people feel truly seen or heard, that spark positive change.
“I think the work that you do and the point of emphasis around connection, I find so important,” shared Dennis R. Delisle, Executive Director, University Hospital, Brain and Spine Hospital, and Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center during his episode. He continues, “Healthcare is a very special industry. And I think when we put people first, not just the patients we care for, but the employees who we serve as leaders, wonderful things happen. And it’s so meaningful because we are patients, we are family members ourselves. We have friends who need care. The work we do matters, and the people we work with matter. And I appreciate that you are also sharing in that message because it’s what makes this industry special.”
Listen and subscribe to hear these inspiring stories.