SGMC Health names nurse educators as Health System Heroes
SGMC Health honored Nurse Educators Kayla Turner, RN, and Ginger Theis, RN, as the December Health System Heroes.
Turner and Theis were nominated by a coworker for their attentiveness and quick thinking which ultimately saved a patient’s life.
While rounding on the unit and after several conversations with fellow care professionals, Turner and Thies realized that a patient had been in the shower for an unusually long period of time. Concerned for the patient, they attempted to communicate through the door. When no one responded they entered to find the patient on the floor and immediately activated the Rapid Response Team.
“Their attentiveness and ability to act fast was the deciding factor of saving a life,” shared the coworker who submitted the nomination.
Both Turner and Theis shared that they were simply doing their job, but appreciated that their peers and leadership recognized their effort and passion for excellence.
The duo received a standing ovation from those in attendance.
SGMC Health participates in an array of recognition programs to honor employees who most exemplify the tagline, “Remarkable People, Extraordinary Care, Human Kindness.” To learn more, visit sgmc.org/recognition.
SGMC Health honors Smoaks with BEE Award
SGMC Health honored Leah Smoaks, Patient Care Technician on Postpartum, with the Being Extraordinary Every day (BEE) Award for December. Smoaks was awarded for her display of human kindness for a patient in need.
Smoaks was nominated by a patient who described her as an angel who “came in each day with the most beautiful smile and genuine empathy.” The patient described how she was having a difficult time following the birth of her child. Smoaks walked into the patient’s room to find her crying, so she stopped what she was doing to give her a warm hug.
“She didn’t say anything but just held me as if I was someone special to her, like a sister,” shared the patient. “I thank Leah so much for that because that was exactly what I needed at that time.”
Upon receiving her award, nurses from the unit also shared that there have been numerous occasions where Smoaks discovered that her patients couldn’t afford their discharge prescriptions. Without being asked or saying a word, as she transported the patients to their vehicle she stopped by the pharmacy and paid for their medications.
The BEE Award is presented monthly and recognizes staff members who support the role of a nurse, which includes patient care technicians, nursing assistants, and medical assistants. Nomination criteria includes compassion, teamwork, leadership, attitude, and skills and knowledge.
SGMC Health participates in an array of recognition programs to honor employees who most exemplify the tagline, “Remarkable People, Extraordinary Care, Human Kindness.” To learn more, visit sgmc.org/recognition.
SGMC Health recognizes Colson with DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing
SGMC Health honored Gina Colson, Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit Charge Nurse, with the December DAISY Award for extraordinary nursing care. Colson was recognized for her “heartfelt compassion” for an organ donor patient and their family.
Colson was nominated by Nursing Administrative Coordinator Marquez Roney for her “servant’s heart” displayed in the emotional experience of organ donation. Colson has cared for many donor patients; however, this one was especially meaningful.
The team held an Honor Walk which is a ceremonial procession where the donor patient is wheeled from their hospital room to the operating room for the organ donation procedure. This solemn event is a way to honor the individual and their family who chose to donate their organs and to show respect for the gift of life they are providing to others through organ transplantation.
Colson participated in the Honor Walk, accompanying the patient and his spouse to the OR. Emotional, as any significant other would be, the patient’s wife said her goodbyes and then turned to hug Colson, offering her thanks for all that she did. Amidst grieving the untimely death of her husband, the patient’s wife thought it would only be right to express her praise to Colson for the compassionate care and empathy she gave to her husband and family during such a difficult time.
SGMC Health continues to ask patients and fellow employees to honor nurses they feel go above and beyond in their actions and care. Nominations are reviewed by a committee based on criteria that include compassion, teamwork, leadership, attitude, and skills and knowledge.
DAISY awards are presented monthly in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” They also receive a beautiful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
A special floral arrangement of daisies was generously donated by The Flower Gallery, the local sponsor of SGMC Health’s DAISY Award.
To nominate a nurse for the DAISY award, visit sgmc.org/daisy.