Department of Neurosurgery

Dr. Robert Neumann & Kathi Waite of Neuro ICU win University of Colorado Hospital President's Award

The Partnership in Leadership Award winners were two stalwarts of the Neuro ICU: Kathi Waite, RN, nurse manager (center); and Robert Neumann, MD, PhD, medical director (right). Kathi and Bob are longtime hospital leaders who devote countless hours to patients and staff in the Neuro ICU. 
 
Under their leadership, the Neuro ICU has achieved a Beacon Award - a kind of Magnet award for the critical care environment - and greatly increased the number of nurses with critical-care nursing certifications. In addition, Bob is a top mentor and teacher for School of Medicine residents and medical students and a professional devoted to working with everyone on the unit to deliver great care to a very challenging patient population. 
 
The best evidence of their positive influence, however, comes from the staff. During their regular Service Excellence executive rounding, Facilities Expansion Project Executive Tony Ruiz and Food and Nutrition Services Director Victoria Franklin observed the day-to-day unit activity and spoke individually with 21 employees about their experiences at work.
 
"Every RN, ACP, CNA, dietitian and department PSC we interviewed speaks glowingly of their co-workers, the physicians, the unit manager and all support staff they interact with," wrote Ruiz and Franklin in nominating Kathi and Bob for the award. "When asked if they like working on the unit, all of them responded with an energetic 'yes' and went on to tell us of the teamwork, care, and respect that makes the Neuro ICU a great place to work."