Forget the cold. Let’s talk daisies, sunshine

Given what’s happening weather-wise this week in Elkhart and South Bend, we are thrilled to be talking about daisies and sunshine.

Award winners, that is.

Here are the latest honorees at both of our hospitals. Please congratulate these associates, when you see them, for a job very well done. We are so proud to have you on our team! 

Caity Hotchkiss
Memorial Hospital
Daisy Award
“My husband was a victim of a hit-and-run accident while bicycle riding last summer. He ended up on the 8th floor for a couple of weeks. He is an avid athlete. He runs, bikes, swims and has completed several Ironman competitions. Caity is also a runner. She has so much in common with my husband and knew exactly what he needed to hear to enhance his recovery. He looked forward to seeing her every day, even when he wasn’t her patient. She always made a point to come and check on him. She is an excellent nurse an great asset to our hospital family.”

Trina Vierck
Memorial Hospital
Daisy Award
“Trina was my husband’s ICU nurse right after his bypass surgery earlier this year. She was so wonderful with him while he was still on the ventilator, especially as sedation was being decreased. She stayed with him, calming him and telling him how much longer every time he signaled to know — even though it was only three minutes later, as sedation was being lowered. Trina also explained and answered questions from my daughter and me. She allowed me to stay in the room as the tube was removed. I was so comfortable with Trina’s attentiveness to his needs and the quality of her care, that when he told me to go home and get some rest, I did. Obviously, he was confident in her care as well.”

Ricki Garver
Daisy Award
Elkhart General Hospital
“Over the last few days I have observed the phenomenal care, compassion, kindness and patience that Ricki provides to her patients. Recently she cared for a patient that has end stage COPD and will be going home with hospice services. the patient had a difficult time making the decision as to whether he wanted to go back to a rehab facility for a short time and then home with hospice, or go home with hospice from the hospital. Ricki was so kind and understanding with this gentleman. It did not matter how many times he changed his mind or how many questions he had about making the right decision. She was happy to spend the time talking with him. At one point, the patient asked her, “What do you think I should do?” and her response was perfect: “I think you should do whatever is right for you.” It was obvious that Ricki was able to build a trusting relationship with this patient, talking about his medications and the benefits of the discharge planning, and ensuring that the patient would be getting everything he needed when he went home. I am positive this patient will always remember Ricki and the care she provided him in a positive light. I know I will always remember my experience with this patient and her, and I will remember the positive example she sets for all nurses. Thank you, Ricki, for all that you do for our patients. You are one of a kind and very appreciated!”
 

Jen Teasley
Daisy Award
Elkhart General Hospital
“Jen is my nursing hero! She is everything a nurse should be. Her organization is exemplary, her patient care goes above and beyond every single patient, every single shift. From providing shaving and hairstyling for the gentlemen, to shampoo and styles for the ladies. Manicure services and above average bathing that goes a long way toward boosting patient morale. She spends so much time in her patients rooms, they are always tidy, stocked and organized. IV lines are always labeled and untangled. It is a beautiful thing to follow her. She spends all of this time making her patients feel well cared for and providing compassion and support in a way that proves she loves nursing and genuinely cares for her patients. She also excels at explaining things to families in a way that is easy to understand, provides reassurance, and gains the trust of the patients and families alike. In addition to providing the kind of care we all should strive to provide, she is a willing and patient teacher. She shares her knowledge, experience and expertise with new nurses and is a wonderful sounding board for others as they try to internalize concepts and dilemmas. She is a great resource! She is always ready to assist others on a daily basis and she picks up extra shifts to help her unit as much as possible. Her reliability and work ethic are admirable. I know she entertains the idea of advancing her career someday, but as I write this and think of all the lives she has surely touched vicariously through nurses she has taught over the years, going forth and spreading her touch to others. Her nursing legacy is huge and EGH is blessed to have her. I am personally grateful to her for all I have learned, the excellence she has modeled for me and others. If I can become even half the nurse she is, a career of epic proportions.”

Ben Grove
Daisy Award
Elkhart General Hospital
“I wanted to recognize Ben for going above and beyond for a CVR patient. There was a patient in a room with a trach who has having difficulty placing his meal order. Ben noticed this as he was walking by the room. As I was pulling the sheath in another room, I heard him patiently work with the patient to obtain his order, call room service to place the order and even assist with getting the patient’s diet changed so that the patient could enjoy a full order of chicken strips before going home. He didn’t have to do this, but it shows what a caring heart he has.”

Ashley Summers
Sunshine Award
Elkhart General Hospital
“Ashley deserves this award because she is always smiling, loving, caring and always putting her patients first. She also keeps her coworkers in good spirits; she is always making my day go smoothly.”

Kristi Meiser
Sunshine Award
Elkhart General Hospital
“We had a young boy in our department who was going to be staying a few nights. This patient came in for violent and aggressive behaviors and required a 1:1 sitter. Not only did Kristi sit with this patient, but she also developed a rapport with him. She exemplified excellence and greatness. She interacted with this patient, brought toys and books from her own home, and treated this boy as if he were her own family member. During his stay here, he didn’t act out or behave inappropriately.”