Meet Savannah Dunivant, MSN, RN, CMSRN
March 17, 2025
Savannah Dunivant, MSN, RN, CMSRN
Nurse Manager, Unit 42
Q: What do you bring to the organization as a leader?
A: “As a leader, I am a reflection of my team, and my team is a reflection of me. It is the responsibility of my team to provide excellent, safe patient care, and it is my responsibility as their leader to ensure they have the resources and support they both need and deserve.”
Q: What is the most rewarding part of being a manager?
A: “The most rewarding part of being a manager is having the opportunity to build relationships with each member of my team. I find true joy in getting to know them both professionally and personally. I believe that a Happy Team makes for Happy Patients, so I spend a great amount of my time ensuring that my team feels cared for and appreciated for the important work that they do each day.”
Q: What is the value of being a leader in a non-system hospital?
A: “Prior to coming to GBMC Healthcare, I worked at three different large-system hospitals (University of Maryland, Emory Healthcare, and Johns Hopkins) and there is a significant, tangible difference between my past experiences and my current experience—both as a Registered Nurse and as a Nurse Leader. At GBMC, I feel empowered and able to make positive change. We are free to ‘think outside of the box’ and pilot new, creative ideas without having to receive an entire system’s approval or an immediate ‘Hard Stop.’ Our Professional Excellence Model (PEM) is a great example where Registered Nurses can continue to grow and thrive within Nursing Leadership. At other system hospitals, guidelines can be very rigid and opportunities more limited.”
Q: What advice do you have for upcoming leaders?
A: “The best advice I ever received was ‘Be the voice that people like you need to hear.’ It’s important to never lose sight of where you once were and the struggles you once faced—so I still find joy in attending Nursing Skills Days, passing medications for a nurse in need, or assisting a patient with daily care. It keeps me grounded and allows me to maintain exposure to the challenges nursing teams face, so I can continue to be their advocate.”
Q: What is one fun fact about you?
A: “I love to write—especially fiction stories for young adult readers.”
