Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Happy Health Care Week 2024! We are celebrating the great team at Stormont Vail Health this week with events and special activities to let our team members know we value and appreciate them. If you have an opportunity to say “thank you” to one of our team members, please do!

Here are today’s updates:

• Congratulations to Excellence in Nursing Awards Recipients
• Congratulations to Baker School of Nursing on NCLEX Pass Rate
• Five Reasons We Celebrate 5 North
• 2024 Celebration of Life Event Set for June 13

Congratulations to Excellence in Nursing Awards Recipients

Congratulations to the Excellence in Nursing Awards nominees, finalists and winners. We had a fabulous awards ceremony last Thursday when we celebrated recognition of Daisy Awards and Excellence in Nursing Awards, and Contribution Ladder recipients. It was great to see the Pozez Auditorium nearly full with team members and families. Thank you to those who were able to attend.

I would like to congratulate the nurses and patient care team members recognized at the event for your efforts. Excellence truly does start with our team.

A special thank you to US Bank, Security Benefit and the Stormont Vail Foundation for sponsoring the event. This year we received 290 nominations, the most ever received for the annual awards.

Winners of the Excellence in Nursing categories are:

Excellence in Nursing Practice – Thaina Dos Santos Jensen, BSN, BA, RN, Post Anesthesia Care Unit; Brianna Fandrich, BSN, RN, 6 North Oncology.

Excellence in Nursing Leadership – Brooke Lyle, BSN, RN, Behavioral Health – Child and Adolescents; Carolyn Wittman, BSN, RN, CEN, Emergency Room.

Excellence in Nursing Mentorship – Eleanor Butler, BSN, RN, EP Laboratory; Mollie Rice, BSN, RN, Hospitalist Program.

Excellence in Nursing Preceptorship – Kelsi Brown, BSN, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Excellence in Nursing Research – Jodi Andruss, BSN, RN, Quality Program Manager, Cardiac Care and Interventional.

Excellence in Advanced Practice Provider – Heather Eisenbarth, APRN, FNP-C, Cancer Center.

Excellence in Licensed Practical Nursing – Trisha Barrett, LPN, Primary Care-Carbondale; Derrick Perry, LPN, Spine Center.

Excellence in Patient Care – Silvia Barrios, MA and Interpreter, Emporia Clinic; Bryan Busicnki, RMA, Emergency Room-Flint Hills Campus; Alexandria Fairhurst, PCT, 5 East Pediatrics and Adolescents; Heather McGhee, PCT, Emergency Room.

Distinguished Community Outreach – Summer Baker, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Learning and Talent Development.

Rising Stars – Chris Brent, BSN, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Esperanza Garza, MSN, RN, Baker University School of Nursing.

Congratulations to Baker School of Nursing on NCLEX Pass Rate

Congratulations to the Baker School of Nursing which has been recognized by the Kansas State Board of Nursing for having a National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate above the national average for the 2023 reporting period, Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023. Additionally, Baker has had NCLEX pass rates above the national average for the past five years.

Baker School of Nursing is located on the Topeka Stormont Vail Campus, in the upper level of the Pozez Education Center. Under the direction of Dean Libby Rosen, PhD., RN, IBCLC, the school offers a number of nursing programs: on-site Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); accelerated online BSN, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to BSN, ADN to Master of Science in Nursing, MSN, and certification preparation courses and post-master’s certificates. More information about the Baker nursing programs is available online.

Five Reasons We Celebrate 5 North

The celebration is just the beginning for the 5 North Team, who’s gained national recognition for implementing new ways to care for our most vulnerable patients, from room safety to de-escalation to debriefing. They also empower teams across our organization with a voice to speak freely through shared governance.

“For us as leaders, it’s rewarding to care for team members across the organization – to show up, help other nurses, and have their back,” said Justin Barnes, Nurse Manager. “We do it for each other.”

Given 5 North’s intrinsic focus on teamwork and innovation, it’s only fair that they receive the same support they provide team members and patients daily. Please take a moment to celebrate 5 North and learn about their invaluable role.

2024 Celebration of Life Event Set for June 13

• Thursday, June 13, 2024
• 3:30–6 p.m.
• Stormont Vail Health Topeka Hospital, Pavilion Tower Lobby, 1500 S.W. 10th Ave., 66604

The noble act of organ, eye, and tissue donation reminds us that we all have the power to make a difference, even after life. Our annual Celebration of Life event honors donors who gave the gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation, their loved ones who supported their selfless decision, and the recipients who received a second chance at life. Learn more here.

We together,
Dr. Kenagy