| Kim Harrison-Muskovitch
Community Outreach Liaison
"Kim has done an outstanding job in her new position as community outreach liaison. Her work has greatly improved customer relations with the patients that are transferred here and she goes above & beyond in making them feel welcome to the UI Hospital environment. In any position that Kim works in she always gives 110%.
She has reinstated insurance plans for patients that needed treatment when their policies had lapsed and this is very difficult to accomplish, almost never heard of.
She tenaciously worked to find the CEO of one of our patient's insurance company, contacted him and was able to reinstate this patient's insurance policy."
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| Barbara Verdich, RN
Manager GI Lab
"I have been working at the Medical Center for 24 years. I must say that Barb Verdich is one of the most outstanding people that I have had the privilege to work with in all of my years. I came into a new position as the APN for the pediatric GI service a few years ago. I had a lot to learn but Barb has been patient in teaching me every step of the way.
From a patient care prospective she is a problem-solver. She doesn't say 'we can't do it', she always says 'let's see how we can make this work.' She coordinates complex care issues that include in-patient and outpatient services. Above all, she is a superior communicator who is passionate about providing optimal care to all patients. She has made my position much easier and I know she has been a comfort to many, many patients."
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| Christine Easley, RN
PICU
Christine demonstrates the following:
- Service above and beyond normal expectations
- She volunteered to assist with moderate sedation for children having cardiac procedures in the Cardiac Cath Lab.
- She chairs the Pediatric Pain Committee and is a member of the hospital-wide Pain Task Force.
- She is actively involved in the Pediatrics Unit Advisory Council to improve patient care.
- Service Excellence
Patients and families ask for Christine to take care of them. She handles the most difficult patients those case that are physically and emotionally complicated.
- Chris is a role model for staff because of her positive attitude."
Her manager adds, "I wish I could clone Chris Easley. Integrity, Honesty, Respect - she has all these attributes in dealing with patients, families, members of the health care team."
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| Lindsay Cousins
Child Life Specialist - Pediatrics
"Lindsay Cousins, our child life specialist, is an invaluable member or our pediatric team. One of Lindsay’s responsibilities is to prepare kids for and distract them during painful medical procedures. Lindsay has a bag full of distraction tools at the ready and is always available to help a child and the medical staff through these procedures.
A few months ago, one of our very anxious pediatric oncology patients was about to have a dressing change at a wound site. Lindsay brought in bubbles, eye spy books, and lots of other tools to take the patient's mind off of what was going on. The results were astonishing. This usually anxious and fearful patient was much more calm and peaceful than she had been during prior procedures."
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| Avni Acar
Project Methods Analyst - Clinical Practice & Professional Development
"Avni has gone far beyond his job description in developing a website for nursing services. In addition to his regular duties, he spent the time to develop a user-friendly website to inform nurses of the various initiatives of the department.
He met with staff regularly to understand our needs and educate us as to the capabilities of different design structures. Beyond a traditional informational venue, he collaborated with IS to develop resources and options to expand communication, simplify registration for classes, and facilitate building a shared leadership structure for all of nursing to access. What he created could stand as a model for the industry.
Avni continues to give 110% to the nursing website development as he does with all of the teams and projects with which he is involved."
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| Lindsey Thompson
Speech Pathologist
"We had a patient who had been admitted to our rehab program after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. He is a 43 year old single dad with an 8 year old son. The patient and his son were residing at the Pacific Garden Mission prior to admission.
The patient had recently lost his job at a property management company and soon lost his house and belongings. Upon admission to the hospital, the director of the day care program at the Pacific Garden Mission decided to take responsibility for the patient's child. The patient and son have no family members in the area and have not spoken to out of state family in years.
The 5 East rehab team, adopted this father and son while the father was hospitalized. Lead by Lindsey, the staff, friends of staff, and family members of staff all came together to give this family whatever they needed."
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| George Roman
Physical Therapy Aide
"George is a vital asset to our Department. There is a saying in our department, 'If you really need to get something done and done right, ask George.'
George exemplifies excellent customer services and often tries to appropriately take care of patient issues himself. He greets all clients with his warm smile. George has become the liaison between the Physical Therapy Department and the Department of Social Work for assisting with First Transit transportation issues. He has even functioned as the back up for this task when the primary person, employed in a different department, was on vacation.
Patients and staff are always saying wonderful comments about George and how willing he is to offer his assistance. George takes the time to learn the patients’ names and really makes them feel welcome in our department."
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| Julie Moore, RN
7W Transplant
"There are several reasons why I look up to Julie - as a nurse, as a co-worker, and as a mother.
Julie provides an outstanding care to patients and their families. Often when I pass by a room, I always hear a laugh and I find Julie there talking to her patient and family and see that the patient is so happy and joyful. This is one thing I like very much about Julie....her joyful spirit. She has good rapport with any patient she takes care of.
Often I am assigned to continue with the care of the patient that Julie had that day. I hear from my patient and their family about how Julie enlightened and educated them, stressing the important aspects of their care that they can do to be able to protect and take care of their new transplanted organ."
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| Luciano Curiel, RN
6WSD
"Luciano is an exemplary staff and a good role model who embodies all the values of an employee. Luciano is very dedicated to his role. As a CNII, he follows up with staff diligently to make sure our unit is compliant with all education and training requirements as well as with quality and regulatory standards.
But most of all, our patients JUST LOVE Luciano. Every time I do my rounds, he always gets praises and positive feedback from patients. They always feel that they are in good hands when Luciano is taking care of them. I am never surprised by these patients' remarks because that's just how Luciano - a genuinely nice and good person overall. Luciano is truly a class act and we are very proud to call him our own."
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