Clare Shumate Honored With DAISY Leader Award for Extraordinary Nurses

Clare Shumate, BSN, RN, clinical supervisor of ChristianaCare’s Kidney Transplant Program, has been recognized with the DAISY Leader Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Shumate has been part of the Kidney Transplant Program for more than a decade and her colleagues say she leads by example. “Her leadership has directly contributed to the program’s expansion, more than doubling transplant volumes to over 50 transplants per year since 2019, all while sustaining optimal patient outcomes and exceptional patient experience scores,” Erica Atchison, BSN, RN, CCRN, wrote in her nomination. Atchison is Shumate’s manager.

With more than 20 years at ChristianaCare, Shumate’s commitment to serving with love and excellence is reflected in the patients we serve and the teams she leads. “Her ability to coach, mentor and build trust has strengthened the program’s culture and helped create a collaborative environment that allows others to thrive,” Atchison said. “She is solutions-focused and mission-driven, often stepping in to support colleagues with grace and steadiness, whether it’s coordinating complex patient care, advocating for resources, or helping navigate communication barriers.” Shumate began her career as a critical care intern and then cared for patients in the Surgical Critical Care Complex for more than a decade. Eventually she transitioned to the transplant program where she has been for the past 11 years. “Clare knows how to lift up the team so that every patient receives the best care possible, and she is often the quiet voice behind critical wins that improve both patient and staff experience,” Atchison said.

The Professional Nurse Council at ChristianaCare selects DAISY Award recipients using an anonymous process based on nominations from patients, families and all members of the ChristianaCare team. All nurses—inpatient, outpatient and ChristianaCare HomeHealth—are eligible.