Leadership in the Burn/Trauma Unit at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital is shaped by moments that demand calm under pressure, decisive action, and deep compassion. For Jazmith Patino, MSN, RN and Jason Del Castillo, BSN, RN those moments come daily.

“Our patient population are people that were just having dinner, having an interview like this, and all of a sudden they are in the worst critical point of their lives, health‑wise,” Del Castillo said. “It is a very intense unit, but it’s matched with awesome outcomes.”

As nurse leaders within HCA Healthcare—one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems—they work in one of only two Level I Trauma Centers in the Miami area, caring for patients with severe, life‑altering injuries where every decision matters.

These positive outcomes, with patients surviving against the odds and nurses rising to meet daily challenges, shape how both leaders approach their roles and support their staff.

That forward‑looking mindset is what led Patino and Del Castillo to pursue advanced degrees with Galen College of Nursing. They are just two of hundreds of HCA Healthcare colleagues who are returning to the classroom to strengthen their skills and expand their impact.

As Trauma ICU Director, Patino leads with high standards and a people‑first mindset, creating an environment where nurses feel supported and patients remain at the center of every decision. She also understands that you never stop learning and improving, which is why she is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at Galen College of Nursing with a focus on Executive Leadership.

“Jazmith Patino’s leadership as TICU Director has made a meaningful impact at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital,” said HCA Florida Kendall Hospital Assistant Chief Nursing Officer Melissa Franco, MSN, RNC-OB. “Her commitment to excellence, support of her team, and focus on patient‑centered care truly defines what strong nursing leadership looks like.”

Del Castillo brings that same sense of purpose to his role as a Clinical Nurse Coordinator in the Burn/Trauma Unit, where his positivity and collaborative approach help set the tone for the entire team.

“Jason’s energy is contagious,” Franco said. “As a Clinical Nurse Coordinator, he inspires those around him every day through his positivity, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care.”

That dedication is what encouraged Del Castillo to pursue his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with Galen. A curriculum which bridges the gap between theory and practice, ensuring every lesson is immediately applicable in a real-world setting.

In the Burn/Trauma Unit, patient outcomes are shaped by leaders who combine clinical excellence with compassionate care. According to Lizette Otero, MBA, MHA, BSN, RN, HCA Florida Kendall Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, both Jason Del Castillo and Jazmith Patino consistently elevate patient care through how they lead.

Jason’s contagious personality energizes everyone around him and sets a powerful example of what compassionate nursing leadership looks like,” Otero said. “He pairs that positivity with an unwavering commitment to patient‑centered care, safety, and quality—ensuring every patient encounter is grounded in trust, excellence, and clinical integrity.

Otero also highlighted Patino’s ability to drive outcomes through empathy and high standards. “Jaz leads with both heart and rigor,” Otero said. “Her unwavering commitment to patient‑centered care—delivered with the highest standards of safety and quality—sets the tone for her team and elevates outcomes for every patient she serves.

“She exemplifies what it means to place patients first while building a culture of excellence.”

Together, their leadership directly strengthens patient safety, quality of care, and trust—reinforcing a culture where patients remain at the center of every decision.

Patino recently shared with her team some research on hospital supply chain organization, inspiring her staff nurses to explore the subject as well. One nurse is now developing a presentation on the topic, with the goal of reducing costs and keeping supply cabinets consistently stocked.

“For me, it’s been fantastic,” Patino said of the DNP program. “I learn something new every week and can bring it right back to my job.”

Del Castillo is gaining a broader, strategic perspective on departmental decision‑making and learning from colleagues across HCA Healthcare.

“It’s given me ideas on how to take something I thought was department‑specific and make it global,” Del Castillo said of the MSN program.

According to Galen’s post-licensure program leaders, the seamless integration of new knowledge into daily nursing practice is a common success story throughout the curriculum.

“Our graduate programs emphasize real‑world application,” said John D. Lundeen, EdD, RN, CNE, ANEF, Dean of Graduate Education and Professor. “Students are able to connect coursework to their day‑to‑day roles and solve real challenges while they’re still in the program.”

Designed for working nurses, Galen’s online master’s and doctoral degrees make it possible for nurse leaders to advance their careers in a flexible, convenient format. Galen graduate students take one course at a time over an 8-week period within a semester, enabling them to balance their coursework alongside work and family.  

As a part of HCA Healthcare, Galen provides HCA Healthcare colleagues with a seamless, online experience that meets them where they are. Colleagues are eligible for $5,250 in tuition assistance each year and direct bill, which means little to no ‘out-of-pocket’ costs.

“Having the opportunity to be an HCA employee, and get the tuition reimbursed, and to really have that pipeline for me to grow as a leader, was something that I didn’t initially know was an option for me,” Del Castillo said. “And when I found out, I’m like, ‘Amazing!’. I would love to continue my path here and have the and have the opportunity to grow. This is such a blessing.”

If you’re ready to move away from the bedside and to a larger role where you can have a greater impact on your staff and their patients, Galen College of Nursing can help you achieve your dreams. Galen’s Online MSN prepares nurse leaders for a career in facility management or education, giving you the tools you need to take the next step in your career. And Galen’s Online DNP helps you continue to climb the ladder, preparing leaders to become Chief Nursing Officers or Academic deans at their facilities.