Meet Our Naples & Ft Myers Nurse of the Year Nominee

Every day, a growing number of dedicated nurses care for aging adults and people with complex medical needs inside their homes, administering daily medications, providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, and managing personalized plans of care. To pay tribute to the specialized and tireless work of thousands of nurses throughout the network, BrightStar Care launched a national Nurse of the Year program to recognize the nurses who are working hard to deliver A Higher Standard of Home Care each and every day. This year, our Director of Nursing Erica Sills was nominated. Here is the nomination letter about Erica: Why the BrightStar Naples & Ft. Myers office thinks that Erica Sills, RN (Director of Nursing) is the Nurse of the Year! For the past 29 months, the BrightStar family in Naples & Ft. Myers has witnessed Erica maintaining a "True" passion for her patients & staff.  Her caring belief process for her patients keeps her from getting clouded by outside distractions. She always wants the best for them and would do anything to make them feel like family.   She takes the initiative to start new projects & strides to do those with extreme excellence.  Hence the Big Idea proposals (see below), which she developed last year with much passion and enthusiasm.   Erica is a self-motivated person that carries herself with professionalism & integrity. As non-clinicians, we have witnessed Erica Sills work tirelessly, always showing compassion for our care givers and clients, thus, producing a higher standard of care. She is a dedicated clinician and tremendous asset to the Brightstar brand. We have had not only the pleasure of, but the benefit of working with and learning from whom we feel is the best nurse… Erica Sills, RN.  We have seen first-hand Erica embrace and embody the BrightStar Core Values in all she does. Erica is always available to everyone, from the office staff, to field staff and of course our patients. No matter what we may need her for she is there for us, ready to listen and help do whatever needs to be done. When times are tough or challenging, she remains calm, cool and most of all positive. No matter with whom or what she is dealing with, you would never know she has a million other things on her plate.  She is always so approachable, welcoming, upbeat and generous with her time. The passion Erica has for not just her work, but for BrightStar, is unmatchable by anyone. We have never seen someone with such a passion and true love for what they do. Every day Erica is faced with different challenges and obstacles but she encourages that.  She welcomes the opportunity to help, learn and grow. She loves being able to take what she does and not only make it count for her but to make sure others benefit from whatever she has to share. She constantly is coming up with new ideas that help our patients, our field staff and even us in the office.  Erica has hosted events in the community that really brought joy and added knowledge to our patients and caregivers. The Wellness Initiative was not only her Big Idea last year but something she has instilled into all of us to live and be healthier.  Her passion for healthy living is something that is helping our patient’s live happier, healthier and longer lives.  She is creating opportunities that help her patient’s, employees and everyone she encounters achieve more in their lives. Erica is one who no matter what, “does the right thing”.  So often in today’s current society, people do what is easy, quick or causes less conflict, but not Erica.  She is one who no matter what the circumstances, she makes the right decisions, which as we all know tend to be the harder, more challenging and at times, very tough.  Erica believes that the right path proves to be the best path.  Doing the right thing is the only option for Erica. Erica is also someone that you can depend and rely on.  If she tells you she is going to do something she does it.  She also is someone who leads by example and practices what she preaches. Erica makes everything great!  Her work ethic, her leadership skills, her bedside manner, her patience and most of all her general presence is just simply great. She brightens up all the lives she touches and they brighten hers just as much.  She has true love for being a nurse and being a leader. Erica is a one of the most genuine and caring people we have ever met.