04/08/2026
It is with immense pride and gratitude that we celebrate St. Charles' Chief Nursing Officer Nicolette Fiore-Lopez, PhD, RN, CENP, FAONL, FAAN, as a recipient of the DAISY Award for Nursing Leadership.
Throughout her distinguished career, Nikki has embodied the true essence of nursing leadership—leading with compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to both patients and the nurses who care for them. Under her guidance, St. Charles Hospital has cultivated a culture where nurses feel supported, valued, and empowered to deliver exceptional care. What started as an 18-month assignment, blossomed into an incredible 22 year journey at St. Charles Hospital.
Her leadership is grounded in open communication, collaboration, and mutual respect—bringing interdisciplinary teams together to ensure the well-being and success of the entire healthcare community.
Nikki’s impact reaches far beyond her role. She is a mentor, advocate, and inspiration to countless nurses, encouraging leadership growth and lifelong learning. Many credit her with shaping their professional journeys and helping them see potential within themselves they didn’t know existed.
As one nomination beautifully shared, “She always made me feel like an equal and took the time to truly listen.” Another noted that her influence extends far beyond policies or titles—her legacy lives on through the many nurses she has inspired.
For her extraordinary leadership, lasting influence, and lifelong dedication to nursing, we thank Nikki with all our heart. She will be terribly missed, but we wish her well in her retirement and this next chapter in her life.