For more information, contact Stephanie Ely, (937) 775-3232. October 28, 2009 Wright State University Cameos of Caring recognizes 14 exceptional nurses The wisdom, caring and professionalism of 14 outstanding nurses from the Dayton region was honored by area heath care providers during the Wright State University-Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health’s ninth annual Cameos of Caring awards gala on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Cameos of Caring awards program was brought to Dayton in 2000 by Patricia Martin, Ph.D., R.N., dean of the Wright State University-Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health, to “honor those unsung heroes on the front lines of health care.” “This event recognizes the contributions nurses make in a community committed to high-quality health care for its citizens,” said Martin. “Since we began our Cameos of Caring tradition in 2001, we have raised more than $280,000 in scholarship funds for Wright State nursing students that will help train the next generation of nurses.” Here are this year’s recipients: Sheila Hawley Atrium Medical Center Sheila Hawley has been a registered nurse for over 20 years and has worked as a wound clinical nurse specialist at Atrium Medical Center for one year. Providing hands-on wound care, she assesses and evaluates treatment effectiveness for patients with active wounds and for those who have a high potential for developing pressure ulcers because of immobility, age or other factors. Wanting to provide the best care possible, Hawley also helps patients to the restroom, feeds them during meal times and repositions them to ensure the least pressure on their wounds. As an influential leader in changing the physicians’ and nurses’ practice in treating wounds, Hawley was responsible for the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program initiative and for implementing the Braden Scale; she also leads the quarterly point prevalence pressure ulcer study. She is active in local wound care groups and leads a group of 15 nurses in wound care at Atrium. Additionally, she trains her patients and their family members in wound care as it specifically relates to the patient. Hawley earned her B.S.N. and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She is certified as a geriatric clinical nurse specialist and in infusion therapy and wound care. Hawley resides in Lebanon. Carol Murray Children’s Medical Center Carol Murray has been a registered nurse for 19 years, all at Children’s Medical Center in the Intermediate Care Unit, where she is currently a clinical resource nurse. She realized that she wanted to be a pediatric nurse while she was a nursing student assigned to the general pediatric floor. Her colleagues say that Murray shows a passion for caring for chronically ill, long-term patients. She knows all of the patients in the unit and becomes a part of their extended family in a professional manner. Her goal is to ensure that family members fully understand the child’s needs and how to care for the child at home. She is passionate about the children and shares her knowledge and expertise with the community through her education lectures related to technology-dependent children. Murray's colleagues consider her a role model for patient care, education and advocacy. She is a member of the Process Action Teams, which strive to improve overall quality and safety of patient care throughout the hospital. For her contributions to patient care, Murray received the Nursing Excellence Award from Children’s Medical Center. Murray earned her B.S.N. from Wright State University, where she is now pursuing her master’s degree. She is certified in pediatric advanced life support and as a CPR instructor. Murray resides in Vandalia. Bonnie Olney Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center Bonnie Olney has been a registered nurse for three years, all at the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) as a staff nurse in the 7-South Acute In-Patient Psychiatric Unit. She routinely serves as the charge nurse and makes assignments based on patient acuity and staff experience. She realizes that each veteran has many problems, which led to psychiatric hospitalization, and she works closely with social workers and psychiatrists to provide the patient with a true “Treatment Team” approach. Patients and their families frequently send letters of appreciation to her for the excellent care she provides. One Vietnam veteran, hospitalized for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, wrote, “If I could give any award I received in combat to you, I would give you the Gallantry Cross and a ribbon with a star made of bronze for performance above and beyond the call of duty.” Co-workers consider Olney to be a very positive person who arrives at work with a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone. In 2008, she received an incentive award from the VAMC for developing a three-part series called the “Power of Words” to teach positive communication skills to veterans. Olney earned her B.S.N. from Wright State University and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nurses. Olney resides in Dayton. Marsha Yawn Good Samaritan Hospital Marsha Yawn has served as a registered nurse for 33 years at Good Samaritan Hospital, where she currently works in the Endoscopy Unit. For over three decades, she has delivered the highest level of quality patient care possible. She says she learned to care for people as the oldest of six children. Yawn is known for her patience, humility and ability to maintain a positive attitude in a stressful and fast-paced environment. Serving as a role model and mentor, she shares her knowledge and skills with colleagues and acts as a preceptor for nursing students who rotate through the Endoscopy Unit. A co-worker writes, “Marsha lives out the mission of Good Samaritan Hospital through her respect for human dignity and her compassion and empathy for others.” She is a dedicated patient advocate and ensures that patients know and understand their rights. As part of her commitment to health care, she is an active supporter of the American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Association and the National Cancer Society. Yawn earned her B.S.N. from The Ohio State University and holds certification in medical-surgical and gerontological nursing. Committed to professional development, she is involved with the ACE clinical ladder and the Clinical Practice Council at Good Samaritan Hospital. Yawn resides in Dayton. Patty Kopp Grandview Hospital Patty Kopp is a registered nurse with more than 44 years of experience, including the last 35 years at Grandview Medical Center, where she currently works in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Kopp is known for her positive outlook, exceptionally pleasant attitude, and, especially, her smile—even in the most stressful situations. She volunteers to take on difficult patient care assignments and provides compassionate care to the surgery patient as well as the family. Bringing over four decades of experience to the unit, she uses her expertise to recognize when her post-operative patients are experiencing difficulty with their recovery and is able to avert complicated outcomes. She is known as the “go to” person in the unit when equipment or information is needed. She is a strong leader, detail-oriented and has a strong work ethic. Kopp is a natural teacher and eagerly volunteers to precept nursing students and new employees. She carefully evaluates their knowledge base and then implements an individualized plan to maximize their educational experience in the PACU. Kopp earned her nursing diploma from the Riverside White Cross School of Nursing and is certified in post-anesthesia, critical care, pediatric advanced life support and advanced cardiopulmonary life support. Kopp resides in Englewood. Deanna Del Valle Greene Memorial Hospital Deanna Del Valle has been a registered nurse for seven years. She has been employed by Greene Memorial Hospital for 18 years and currently works as a staff nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). She takes a family-based approach to nursing, ensuring that patients and their loved ones receive the care and support they need. Indeed, patients and their families gravitate toward Del Valle and hope that she is the nurse who returns the next day to implement the complicated care required for the ICU patient. Her calm demeanor relaxes the patient and the family during a time when they feel helpless and uncertain. She has received many letters from patients and their families describing her as “especially caring and professional.” She also works in the Emergency Room (ER) when that unit is short-staffed, and her ability to shift gears between the ER and ICU has won the respect of her colleagues. In fact, many nurses at Greene consider her the “go to” person for answers to their questions. She also serves as a preceptor to Cedarville University nursing students who have clinical duties in the Greene ICU. She is involved in unit practice council decisions for the ICU and teaches CPR. Del Valle earned her associate degree in nursing from Sinclair Community College and holds certification as a critical care registered nurse. She resides in Kettering. Barbara Lauderback Kettering Medical Center Barbara Lauderback, a registered nurse for five years, serves at the Kettering Medical Center in the Emergency Department. Lauderback has a genuine love for her patients and provides excellent care for them. She is described as caring, trustworthy and competent. In her off-hours, Lauderback participates in women’s groups and church retreats, often drawing from those experiences when dealing with families in crises. Known as “Mother Barb” in the Emergency Department, she is sensitive to the needs of patients as well as those of staff. She has precepted countless new nurses who, in turn, report that she is always patient, calm and nurturing; they consider her a charge nurse with high standards. Nurses who work with her say that her pleasantness radiates in the department, and they consider her to be one of the best mentors and role models. Lauderback earned her B.S.N. from the University of Evansville. She is a certified emergency nurse and holds additional certification in trauma nursing, advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. Lauderback resides in Xenia. Kimberly Lane Life Connection of Ohio Kimberly Lane has been a registered nurse for nine years and has worked at Miami Valley Hospital for the past five years. As a clinical nurse in the Emergency Department (ER), she is an enthusiastic advocate, a passionate leader and a champion for organ donation. Her dedication to donation extends far beyond the ER, to the lives of families whom she has touched but has never had the opportunity to meet. Organ donation is a process that brings hope and comfort to families who suffer tragedy and, ultimately, saves lives. Lane has created a positive culture for organ donation and has demonstrated her commitment by being a keynote speaker on the topic for Life Connection of Ohio. Because of her efforts, making timely referrals is embedded into the practice of the ER staff at Miami Valley Hospital. A colleague wrote, “On behalf of the over 100,000 people waiting for a life-saving transplant and those families comforted by your compassion and support, thank you, Kim Lane, for being a champion for donation. The donation community is fortunate to have such a strong and committed leader.” Lane earned her B.S.N. from the University of Toledo/Medical College of Ohio. She was nominated for nursing excellence awards at Miami Valley Hospital from 2005 through 2009. She received the Wall of Excellence—Patients First Standard Award in 2008. Lane resides in Miamisburg. Megan Phelps Stahl Mercy Memorial Hospital Megan Phelps Stahl has worked all of her four years as a registered nurse at Mercy Memorial Hospital. She began her career in the Intensive Care/Medical-Surgical/Telemetry Unit. She cross-trained for the emergency room and, three years later, was the relief house supervisor. She recently returned to Intensive Care/Med-Surgical/Telemetry as the charge nurse. She has always wanted to help people, which is why she chose nursing as a career. She loves caring for people and says she likes the small-town atmosphere of Mercy Memorial Hospital. Her commitment, discipline and work ethic make her the “unit champion for customer service.” She is known for her smile, sense of humor and calm demeanor. These attributes, which are frequently mentioned by her patients on follow-up customer service surveys, also make her a wonderful preceptor for nursing students and mentor to new nurses. With her positive attitude, she accepts every opportunity to do a better job and enthusiastically shares her education with fellow team members to improve patient care. Phelps Stahl earned her associate degree in nursing from Clark State Community College. She holds certification in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. Phelps Stahl resides in Urbana. Patricia Jenkins Miami Valley Hospital Patricia “Trish” Jenkins has spent her 20-year career as a registered nurse at Miami Valley Hospital. As a clinical nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, she cares for the highest acuity patients, advocates for patients and families and serves as a clinical expert for her peers. Every day, Jenkins cares for extremely sick patients who may have complex and challenging family dynamics. As the critical care liaison for the patient and family, she lays out a plan of care that includes the patient, family, physician and interdisciplinary team. She facilitates family and physician meetings and updates the family on the patient’s condition and test results. Jenkins also assesses families to identify education needs and follows up with family members. She is the chairperson of the Family Visitation Committee and a member of the Family Presence Committee. Jenkins earned her ADN from Clark State Community College, her B.S.N. from Franklin University and her M.S.N. from Capital University. She holds certification in acute cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support, trauma nursing and advanced trauma nursing. In 2009, she received a nurse recognition award for her care of patients and communication with their families in the ICU. Jenkins resides in Fairborn. Faye Mudd Southview Hospital Faye Mudd, a registered nurse for 40 years, has served the last 28 years at Southview Hospital, where she currently works in the Short Stay Pre-Op Unit. As a resource leader in the unit, she interviews patients prior to surgery, assesses their medical histories, starts IVs, administers antibiotics and checks charts to ensure completion and accuracy. She totally focuses on each patient and his or her needs and makes each patient feel special. With her calm demeanor, she helps alleviate her patients’ fears regarding upcoming surgeries. Mudd frequently receives cards and letters from patents, thanking her for her kindness. She is considered a champion of unit call backs and is very involved in making the unit a positive environment for both patients and staff. She is also the unit’s preceptor for nursing students and new employees. As a caring nursing professional, she made three trips to New Orleans to support Hurricane Katrina victims; she is also a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and Rebuild Dayton. Mudd earned her diploma in nursing from The Christ Hospital School of Nursing. Mudd resides in Dayton. Geri Sherick Springfield Regional Medical Center Geri Sherick has been a registered nurse for 22 years, all with Springfield Regional Medical Center/Community Mercy Health Partners. She is currently a staff nurse in the Intensive Care Unit. Sherick understands the importance of involving the entire family in the patient’s care and takes an active role in advocating for patients and families by involving them in the care and decision making for the patients. She is known for her outstanding communication skills, ability to be empathetic and get along with a variety of people, including patients, their families and professionals. When needed, she helps patients make end-of-life decisions and discusses difficult issues with their families; in fact, she takes the lead with the Organ Procurement Committee. Sherick is passionate about the nursing profession, embraces her patients and treats them with respect. She always wants to do what is right for the patient. As a mentor to new staff and a preceptor to nursing students, she shares her wealth of knowledge and connects with them on a personal and professional level. Sherick earned her associate degree in nursing from Clark State Community College and her B.S.N. from Wright State University. She is certified as a critical care registered nurse. Sherick resides in Springfield. Pamela Marion Sycamore Hospital/Kettering Behavioral Medicine Center Pamela Marion has served as a registered nurse for three years, all with the Kettering Behavioral Medicine Center of Sycamore Hospital. She is described as being a kind, caring and compassionate psychiatric nurse who always has a positive attitude when she comes to work. She excels at building a strong therapeutic relationship with her patients and challenges them in a way that helps them succeed after they leave the center. Marion is a true patient advocate and dedicates herself to providing exemplary nursing care for her patients. Working in a very difficult area of nursing, she has made a difference in the lives of many patients. Because she is very focused on providing great patient care, Marion is frequently mentioned by her patients for the empathetic and nurturing care she provides. As a valuable member of the interdisciplinary team, her positive attitude with peers helps to build morale and gets the team through stressful times. She is always flexible and willing to help with staffing challenges or schedule changes as the need arises. Her peers know they can look to her for support. Marion earned her associate degree in nursing from Clark State Community College. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Marion resides in Yellow Springs. Beth Perkins Upper Valley Medical Center Beth Perkins has been a registered nurse for 15 years, mostly at Upper Valley Medical Center. She is currently a staff nurse in the Emergency Department. Her co-workers describe her as the department’s cheerleader because she always stays positive despite negative and uncertain circumstances. She volunteers to work additional hours to ensure her patients’ comfort and satisfaction. Patients and their families frequently send thank-you cards, and one patient brought her flowers because Perkins had helped him “not be so scared” prior to his surgery. Because she made such a positive impression, one patient nominated her as the Citizen of the Day for a local newspaper—years after she had cared for him. As a preceptor for nursing students, she strives to provide a calm and reassuring learning environment so that students have the opportunity to experience and learn as much as possible. In the unit, she serves as the shared governance chairperson and has served on the hospital-wide Shared Governance Transition Team. Perkins earned her associate degree in nursing from the Kettering College of Medical Arts. She is an emergency medical technician, a certified emergency nurse and an instructor of advanced cardiac life support. Perkins resides in New Carlisle. # # # Photos of the 2009 Cameos of Caring recipients can be found at http://www.wright.edu/cameos/2009.
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