Emily Cummings, R.N., DAISY Award winner

 

Emily Cummings, R.N., received the November DAISY Award in

Emily Cummings

recognition for her compassionate and caring nursing skills as a bedside R.N. in the CVICU. The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of ITP, an auto-immune disease.

 

Cummings was nominated for the DAISY Award by three of her former patients' family members. In the nominations they wrote, "Emily was the nurse for a patient in CVICU. Even though the patient's numbers looked good, Emily called the doctors to tell them he just didn't look right. This saved his life. Dr. Kozinn and Dr. Davis found a blood clot and were able to remove it. She insisted on being in the OR during the operation. She is truly an extraordinary nurse. She has been there for the family since before the transplant surgery. Emily is always upbeat, caring, compassionate, and helpful. We thank God for her."

 

"Emily is such a great and caring nurse. She went above and beyond to accommodate my mother. She is an angel and I truly love her. She braided my mother's hair and made sure she was always smiling and beautiful - Emily is not only a great person but a wonderful nurse. The whole family loves her. Thanks for hiring nurse Emily!"

 

"Emily not only took excellent care of my husband, but she talked to my whole family. Emily made sure my husband was as comfortable as possible. Emily introduced everyone that walked in the room to the family. Emily goes above and beyond her duties. She makes the families feel good in a bad situation. Emily always has a smile on her face. She truly cares about her patients and their families. Emily even stays over after shifts to comfort families and explain what's happening to our family members."

 

Cummings has been a nurse since graduating from UMKC School of Nursing in 2005. She began her career at SLH as a cardiac transplant medical telemetry nurse. She then transferred to the CVICU for one and a half years, and she has recently transitioned into the role of the VAD coordinator in the past month. Cummings' loves include reading and learning, being outside, cooking, her husband of 10 years, her 4-year-old daughter, and 5-year-old son. Eventually she would like to go back to school, but for now she enjoys caring for people and feeling like she can make a difference in people's lives.

 

On Nov. 2, the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Committee, the CVICU staff, and her fellow VAD coordinators surprised Cummings with the DAISY Award and a breakfast that included Cinnabon® cinnamon rolls. She also received the Healer's Touch sculpture, an award certificate, DAISY pin, and a Saint Luke's Hospital parking spot.

 

Congratulations to Emily Cummings who, like so many Saint Luke's Hospital nurses, deserves a big thank you for her extraordinary and compassionate nursing care.

 

Do you know a nurse deserving of the DAISY Award? Send an email to daisyaward@saint-lukes.org. Or pick up a nomination form located in most SLH waiting rooms.

  

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Welcome Dr. Scharf

 

We are happy to announce that Daniel Scharf, M.D., has recently

Daniel Scharf, M.D.

joined Saint Luke's Cardiovascular Consultants. Dr. Scharf is board certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine. He achieved his medical degree at Albany Medical College in Albany, NY, and conducted his cardiology fellowship training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania - where he also spent time as a cardiovascular research associate. He completed his residency at Bellevue Hospital, New York University Medical Center. 

 

Dr. Scharf has practiced cardiology in the Kansas City metropolitan area for over 35 years and will continue to provide high-quality care to patients. 

 

Dr. Scharf is happy to have joined our outstanding team and looks forward to being able to share the full spectrum of cardiovascular services available at Saint Luke's with his patients. He is available to see patients at our offices at both Saint Luke's South Hospital and Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City. 

    

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Making a difference

 

Employees going above and beyond - T.O.U.C.H. committee

 

Each and every day our dedicated and passionate employees make a difference in the lives of our patients, visitors, and colleagues. We would like to highlight some of those stories. If you have a colleague you would like to recognize, please send the employee's name and how they made a difference to slhrounds@saint-lukes.org. 

The staff of Main 5/East 5 developed a committee on our unit called T.O.U.C.H. which stands for Together One Unit Creating Hope. We decided we would come together to do activities and think of ways to support and encourage ourselves, our patients, and our community. 

 

We have accomplished many things this year. We adopted a 25-year-old Leukemia patient of ours who was pregnant and had a 4-year-old daughter; we were able to provide them with more than $400, toys, food, and clothes. On Mother's Day we presented a necklace to a patient's wife who was a first-time mom, and on Father's Day we gave wallets to our two male nurses. 

 

The past few months we decided to act more "globally" and incorporate the Kansas City area in our altruistic acts. In September we thought it would be special to involve not just our staff, but also our own families in volunteering together to make a difference. A group of about 20, including staff and our family members, volunteered at Harvesters and packed nearly 1,000 "weekend backpacks" for under-privileged school kids. This past weekend, an eager giving troop of 15 cooked and served at the Ronald McDonald House. 

 

We have more ideas and projects planned for the upcoming months. We have learned and grown together, and we see more clearly how in reaching out we are touched back - not so much finger tip to finger tip, but soul to soul. May the staff on 5 be a shining example of how small acts of kindness can help brighten and "T.O.U.C.H." someone else's day!

- Barbara JoRay-Utt

 

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Beers becomes Board Certified Nurse Executive

 

Dennis Beers, Sr. Director, Quality and Patient Safety, SLH, has

Dennis Beers

passed the exams to become a Board Certified Nurse Executive (NE-BC). Beers stated he is proud of the role that nurses have in providing excellent patient care. His certification as a nurse executive provides a stronger connection and advocacy for nurses at the bedside. 

 

To be eligible for certification, individuals must hold a current, active R.N. license; hold a bachelor's or higher degree in nursing; have held a mid-level or higher administrative position or a faculty position teaching graduate students nursing administration, or a nursing management or executive consultation position, for at least 24 months' full-time equivalent in the past five years; have completed 30 hours of continuing education in nursing administration within the past three years, or have a master's degree in nursing administration. 

 

Congratulations, Dennis!

 

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Bates named Medical Plaza Imaging Employee of the Quarter

 

Kami Bates, MRI technologist, has been named the Medical Plaza

Kami Bates

Imaging Employee of the Quarter for fourth quarter 2012.

 

Bates consistently goes above and beyond what is required of her every day, and is always willing to learn new procedures and help her co-workers understand the many procedures done at the Imaging Center. Bates is often asked for by name by Imaging Center patients because of her always pleasant, positive, and helpful attitude. Her patients have mentioned her having a positive impact on their care.

 

Please join in congratulating Kami Bates as Employee of the Quarter at Medical Plaza Imaging. 

 

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