Mercy Jefferson Announces Tulip Award Winners

Congratulations to Annette Lewis, patient care associate, for earning the quarterly Tulip Award for the exceptional care she provides with the medical 2 unit at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.

A co-worker nominated Annette by writing: “Annette should be recognized for her exceptional skill and dedication to her patients and her co-workers, her tireless and amazing resilience in situations of above average workloads, and her resourcefulness and willingness to go above and beyond.

“While assigned to medical 2 on the night shift for two nights, I had the distinct pleasure of having Annette assigned to my patient team. My experience with most patient care associates at Mercy Jefferson has been wonderful, and I have fond respect for all of them and all that they do, but on these two shifts in particular with Annette, I feel compelled to escalate my evaluation of her commitment and dedication without hesitation. It is one thing to go about one’s business and just do the required tasks. It is far another thing and quite rare to encounter an individual who not only does their tasks with great dedication but does so tirelessly and with such attention to detail as I experienced with Annette.

“Annette came into a very busy unit with quite possibly higher than normal acuity patients while facing short staffing. She was assigned a higher number of patients than usual and in an area with some quite complicated patients both medically and behaviorally. Never at any time did I hear a complaint or feel any indication of her wearing down as she traveled from room to room taking vitals and attending to other patient needs as they occurred. She stayed 100% in control and exuded complete confidence as she went about her shift. And she did so joyfully. Whenever I questioned her about where to find this item or that item, she knew instantly where I could find what I needed…She again and again went above and beyond, crossed halls on many occasions to help others. She was always available at any point to bring to my attention unit specific policies and practices which we may not always be aware of as we rotate through every level of care and experience different layers and standards. She stayed lighthearted and helpful even when all on the floor were at our peaks of activities. At one point, she intuitively knew a new admission from the emergency department in her assignment was not doing well and brought it to my attention… we made sure that patient was stabilized and quickly reassigned to the appropriate unit…

“People like Annette are rare and hard to come by. People with such commitment and dedication to the patient, their fellow co-workers and the organization in general are a precious commodity and indispensable in areas where, quite literally, lives hang in the balance.

“Thank you, Annette. Keep up your work which is within the realm of the finest performances in keeping with the nursing profession and has come to exemplify success in positive patient outcomes at our hospital.”

Congratulations to Annabelle Bowles, patient care associate, for earning the quarterly Tulip Award for the exceptional care she provides with the float pool at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.

A co-worker in the emergency department nominated Annabelle by writing: “Annabelle came to us in our time of need. We could not have asked for better help. She jumped right in to help with a positive attitude and smile. She even went upstairs to clean a room on the medical floor so we could move a patient up to open a room for EMS.”

Congratulations to Marissa Hudman, patient care associate, for earning the quarterly Tulip Award for the exceptional care she provides on Medical 2 at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.

A co-worker nominated Hudman by writing: “One of our patient care associates became very ill, and I needed to transport her to the emergency department. The floor was extremely busy already, and I had a lot going on. Marissa quickly jumped in and took over the other PCA’s spot plus the tasks I had going on in order for me to get the sick person taken care of. She jumped right in without hesitating and did what needed to be done, no complaints. She showed that day the kind of teamwork we all need and strive for. Her help and attitude were much appreciated, both to me and her patients.”

Congratulations to Julie Courtway, patient care associate, for earning the quarterly Tulip Award for the exceptional care she provides on Medical 2 at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.

A co-worker nominated Courtway by writing: “Julie is a hardworking and devoted PCA. She is always willing to go the extra mile with the best attitude. Two patients on the floor were put on incorrect telemetry devices, neither of which were her patient. Julie jumped in quickly to assist in correcting the issue, going above and beyond to assess all patients on the floor to make sure they had the correct telemetry monitors on. This avoided a potentially large patient safety issue.”

Lisa Rowen, patient care associate, earned the quarterly Tulip Award for the exceptional care she provides on Medical 2 at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.

Rowen’s co-worker nominated her by writing: “Lisa was caring for a patient who was fearful of her son. When the patient’s husband came to visit, her son was with him. Lisa could tell the patient was scared. She slipped her versus badge under the patient’s blanket and told her to push the button if she felt in danger. Lisa then went to the patient’s nurse and told her the son was in the room with the patient. Security was called and the son was asked to leave. The patient was placed in a new room and made a private encounter. As it turned out, the patient’s son was verbally and physically abusive to the patient at the home.

“Because of Lisa’s care and the connection she has for her patients, she gave this patient a sense of security and safe environment. I am glad to have her on my team.”

Kim Littlefield, patient care associate, earned the Tulip Award for the exceptional care she provides in the progressive care unit (PCU) at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.

A co-worker nominated Littlefield by writing: “Kim’s patient was COVID positive. This patient was a young man with small children. He has not seen his family in 19 days except through the outside window. She went to the gift shop and helped him pick out gifts for his children and paid for them with her own money. The patient’s prognosis is poor. She may never realize the impact she had on those children’s lives.”

Kassie Mills, patient care associate, earned the Tulip Award for the exceptional care she provides in the progressive care unit (PCU) at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.

A co-worker nominated Mills by writing: “Kassie is the type of person who genuinely cares about all her patients and co-workers. We had a difficult patient who had fallen, was anxious and dealing with some mental health issues. On this day, I was assigned to him as his PCA. Kassie had worked with him a few days prior and on that day, without anyone asking, she got a wheelchair and offered to wheel him around the unit. She said, ‘I know he just gets so anxious sitting alone in his room all day and this way you and the nurses can tend to the other patients. Kassie does not come to work thinking about how much money she is going to make that day or how soon her shift will be over. She comes to work with a passion to serve others that she couldn’t hide if she tried. You hear her tenderness and the concern she has for everyone on the unit in her voice and in her actions. She is the person I would want taking care of me or my loved one. She believes in the value of each human being as a given, not that they have to be her patient, or good enough; she just values who they are, wherever they are in life. She is a special person, and we are all thankful to have her on our team.”

Congratulations to Deborah McNail, patient care associate, for earning the Tulip Award for the exceptional care she provides in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.

A co-worker nominated McNail by writing: “Deb provided bedside spiritual comfort to a dying COVID patient when their family was unable to be there. Through prayer, touch and music, she helped escort her patient to the next life. She made sure her patient was provided with all the spiritual comfort necessary. The patient passed peacefully during the Lord’s prayer. Thank you, Deb, for going above and beyond for your patients.”

Macayla Blair, patient care associate, earned the Tulip Award for the exceptional care she provides in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Mercy Jefferson.

A co-worker nominated Blair by writing: “Macayla is always great to work with. She has a positive attitude and constantly looks for ways to help the staff. She keeps the units stocked and clean. She always wears a smile, which spreads to everyone and is such an asset during these stressful shifts. Great job, Macayla!”