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Two Leaders, One Mission: Honoring ED Nurses Serving Veterans

Ms. Ashley Lunkenheimer and Mr. Daniel Stanley are recognized by the Emergency Nurses Association on Sept. 17, 2025 in New Orleans Louisiana.
Ms. Ashley Lunkenheimer and Mr. Daniel Stanley are recognized by the Emergency Nurses Association on Sept. 17, 2025 in New Orleans, LA. for representing excellence in the specialty of emergency nursing through clinical practice, research, education and advocacy.

By Corey Howard, Program Applications Specialist

The VA Fayetteville Coastal Health Care System proudly salutes the exceptional efforts of Daniel Stanley and Ashley Lunkenheimer, both nurses whose leadership and passion are transforming care for Veterans every day.

Daniel Stanley: A Journey of Resilience and Leadership
Daniel Stanley’s journey is a story of resilience and steadfast commitment. Overcoming early doubts and personal challenges, he rose to become an ED nurse manager at a VA hospital in North Carolina, where he continually redefines excellence in emergency care. Reflecting on his career, Stanley explains, "Excellence in emergency nursing fuels my commitment to leadership, empowering me to mentor teams and refine systems so that every Veteran receives not only outstanding care but also the dignity and compassion they deserve."

This vision encapsulates his dual focus on patient care and building robust, supportive clinical teams. Beyond his daily responsibilities, Stanley mentors peers, teaches as a Stop the Bleed instructor, and responds to disasters, ensuring his leadership nurtures an environment where care and compassion thrive.
 

Ashley Lunkenheimer: Transforming Emergency Care
Ashley Lunkenheimer, inspired by a life-changing moment during nursing school, brings equal fervor and dedication to her role as a nurse executive with the Veterans Health Administration’s National Emergency Medicine Office. By standardizing practices across 111 EDs and 35 urgent care centers, she has enhanced team collaboration, patient safety, and workflow efficiency. Balancing her thriving career with community and family commitments, Lunkenheimer demonstrates that excellence in care meshes with embracing the many roles one plays in life.

Honored by the Emergency Nurses Association’s 20 Under 40, Stanley and Lunkenheimer exemplify how visionary leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement can shape the future of emergency care for Veterans. Their journeys serve as a powerful reminder that by investing in our teams and refining our care processes, we elevate our practice and ensure the highest standard of service for those who have served our nation.