PLATTSBURGH — A Medical Assistant renowned for her unwavering support of colleagues while ensuring patients with diabetes get the care they need has been honored as the latest recipient of the BEE Award at The University of Vermont Health Network-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH).
Laura Crossman was presented the award during a surprise ceremony with her team at CVPH Endocrinology.
Crossman is the second staff member to receive the BEE award, which is short for Beyond Exceptional Everyday. It was established earlier this year at CVPH to recognize members of the hospital’s support staff who go above and beyond in their roles to help provide excellent patient care.
Crossman was nominated by Catherine LaPier, BSN, RN, CDCES, a Certified Diabetes Educator focusing on inpatients at CVPH. She has worked with Crossman in multiple roles and departments, most recently at CVPH Endocrinology.
“Laura shows up every day and goes above and beyond to take care of all patients and providers,” LaPier writes in her nomination. “She makes her workload look effortless at times. She rooms, downloads, pre-visit plans, manages referrals, handles all the DME labs, and does countless reminders to patients to get their labs done.”
However, it is Crossman’s dedication to our patients that stands out the most for LaPier. In her nomination, she references a situation where Crossman spent hours on the phone fighting to ensure a patient was able to get what he needed to manage his diabetes.
“Laura continued to fight for him, because it was the right thing to do,” LaPier says, also noting the difference Crossman makes with her colleagues on a daily basis.
“Her dedication helped make my role much more manageable. She took care of tasks that allowed me to focus on other patient needs. Laura is an extremely valuable member of the Endocrinology team. The office runs more smoothly because of her, but more importantly, patients get what they need to take care of themselves thanks to Laura.”
During the award presentation, Crossman was presented with a certificate commending her for her extraordinary work. She, like all honorees, also received a BEE Award pin, a beautiful and meaningful sculpture and a basket filled with bee-themed gifts.
All CVPH employees who support patient care by working together with physicians and registered nurses to improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health of patients and their loved ones are eligible for the BEE Award. Nomination forms and boxes are located at each of the hospital’s main entrances and on the CVPH website.
Support staff may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. A committee reviews nominations and awards a deserving employee each quarter.