96 | HealthLinksSC.com THE PULSE ON CHARLESTON NURSES DR. CHRISTINA MCDANIEL, DNP, RN Dr. Christina McDaniel’s trajectory to her new role as Executive Director of Palliative Care for MUSC includes one important question that she always asks herself: What am I doing for people and not to them? “That question shapes who I am. It’s a mindset that defines my career,” said McDaniel. Her career launched as a neonatal intensive care nurse and then shifted to clinical coordination for a pediatric neurosurgery practice. McDaniel then joined Hands of Hope as a pediatric resource nurse and palliative care program coordinator and then moved into a leadership role as a Director of Operations for a multi-state hospice company. Before McDaniel’s December 18 shift to the executive director position, she served as faculty in the MUSC College of Nursing and as program manager for the Palliative Care Program at MUSC. For Dr. McDaniel, palliative care is a perfect example of doing something for someone rather than to them. “It’s not based on a prognosis; the care model is meant for people with chronic, life-limiting illnesses,” she explained. “Palliative care means having a team that walks alongside you. When there are decisions to be made — or symptoms that can be managed better — there is another team with you as eyes and ears, offering support and comfort-focused care.” As the Executive Director of Palliative Care for MUSC, McDaniel continues her mission to raise awareness about palliative care, to improve care and accessibility. She is particularly proud of one giant statewide leap toward that goal. Fueled by a $1 million Duke Endowment grant, MUSC is partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield and NC/SC Hospital Association’s thinktank CaroNova to create a statewide, comprehensive palliative care program that includes a multidisciplinary ambulatory team with an expanded reach to the home setting. For McDaniel, partnerships and collaboration with colleagues inspire her. She offered a specific shout out to Carrie Cormack, DNP: “I have had the pleasure of working with amazing people and during our years together in pediatrics and the College of Nursing, Carrie inspired me. She continues to be a fabulous colleague and friend.” To her colleagues and future nurses, Dr. McDaniel shared this piece of advice: “Take care of yourself. You are your best advocate because you are intimately aware of your needs. For us, caregiving is innate, but it also needs to be introspective. As you give to others, give to yourself.” JOSHUA MORAN JIMÉNEZ, BSN, RN, CPHQ, CARN, PMH-BC, CPAHA-TT, NE-BC ANM 3N/DPOD IOP Joshua Jiménez has been a cheerleader, collaborator and advocate for nursing through every step of his journey to become a nurse practitioner with a myriad of certified specialties – psychiatric mental health nurse, certified addiction registered nurse, board certified nurse executive, to name a few. He is the MUSC colleague who happily chairs the Healthy Work Environment organizational council and presents the DAISY and Nothing Bundt the Best awards. “It is most rewarding to hear the nominations of nurses touching lives and recognize the exceptional nursing across MUSC,” he said. “It’s been an honor to have been mentored by those who have since retired and to mentor others who are just joining the profession.” Jiménez is the person who opts to thank the school and his colleagues rather than call attention to himself. “One of my favorite memories in nursing has been the opportunity to collaborate, learn from and with, and work alongside nurses from different generations,” he said. “The College of Nursing faculty have been at the cornerstone of connecting learning and scholarship with leadership and service in my career, and I am beyond thankful.” Jiménez’s goal is to champion whole health, especially mental health, in the medical field until it is fully realized. His advice to other nurses and nurse educators? “Take a break; self-care is important too.” HealthLinks CHARLESTON has partnered with the MUSC College of Nursing to highlight some of the Lowcountry's top nurses. Expand your career: nursing.musc.edu
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