2017 Annual Nursing Report

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

2017 HCA Excellence in Nursing Award-Compassionate Care: Michelle Keister, BSN, RNC The Compassionate Care Award is given to a nurse who demonstrates exceptional nursing knowledge and expert skills, and consistently applies both with compassion and integrity so that the quality of the care experience and care outcomes are improved for patients in any clinical setting or nursing specialty. Michelle has worked at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery’s (LGHM) Emergency Department for over two years, however, has been with LGHM since 2004. Michelle exemplifies compassionate care with every patient she visits. She is able to tactfully navigate through difficult patient experiences with a caring attitude and grace. Michelle is an engaged employee, active on hospital and unit based councils, a clinical ladder participant, and volunteers routinely in the community. Her dedication to her role and profession are evident in her daily interactions at LGHM. Frequently peers and patients comment on Michelle’s bright personality and excellent patient care. She has been nominated for the Daisy Award, a national award recognizing extraordinary nurses. She is always willing to help a coworker, whether it’s with taking an admission upstairs, doing a procedure or just holding a patient’s hand – she is there for all she works with and cares for. Michelle voluntarily floats to other departments when they are in need of assistance. She commented, on a facility social media page, about a recent float experience saying, “I felt tears as I sat and fed a frail women soup. I felt joy as I washed a woman’s hair, all the while (she was) thanking me because she hadn’t been able to bathe in three days. I felt humbled to know I could make a man smile by getting him coffee. I was truly able to experience the ‘good stuff’ nursing has to offer.”

12