The STARs Surround Us
Nurses Who Have Won STAR Awards in 2008
John C. Lincoln's STAR Award program (which stands for "Special Thanks And Recognition") recognizes co-workers who go above and beyond, whether it's to help a fellow co-worker, patient or community member. Recipients have given unselfishly of themselves and their time, demonstrating the essence of compassion.
Here are the stories of John C. nurses who recently have won STAR Awards.
Nurse, Social Worker Team Up to Lead Cell Phone Drive
Deer Valley Emergency Department nurse Karrie Riley, RN, and social worker Vicki Sutton, MSW, took up a collection of old cell phones to donate to Verizon's HopeLine. They collected almost 200 phones.
Karrie Riley, RN, and Vicki Sutton, MSW
HopeLine refurbishes the phones, sells them and then donates the proceeds in the form of cash grants to local shelters and nonprofit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness. Donated phones that cannot be refurbished are recycled in an environmentally safe way.
"We feel it is important to help prevent domestic violence," said Vicki. "Cell phone donations are a great way to help make a financial contribution and also bring awareness to the issues of domestic violence."
Although Vicki and Karrie’s drive is complete, Verizon stores still are accepting old phones for the HopeLine project. The pair’s dedication to the cause of helping the community through the phone drive has earned them the STAR Award, the Network’s highest honor.
Nurse Steps Forward to Help Family in Need
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Carol Shelton, RN |
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One evening at Mendy’s Place, two children, ages 8 months and 3 years, were brought in after being removed from their home by Child Protective Services because of physical and drug abuse.
The young children were placed in the care of their maternal grandparents, who were ill-prepared to receive the kids and had nothing for them.
Carol Shelton, RN, stepped in and purchased several outfits and toys for each child. The children and foster parents were delighted.
RRT Purchases Wheelchair for Family, Starts Road to Recovery
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Tran Nguyen, RRT |
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Tran Nguyen, RRT, was caring for a patient who had sustained multiple injuries in a car crash. The patient and the family recently had relocated to the United States, were without insurance and had few financial resources. The family did not have enough money to purchase a wheelchair for the patient to use following discharge.
Tran recognized the family’s need and purchased a wheelchair for the patient. Because of his kind heart and generous spirit, the patient was provided with the tools needed to begin the road to recovery.
Nurse Offers Loving Gesture for Heart Patient
Deer Valley Emergency Department nurse Amy Jacobson took care of a man in end-stage congestive heart failure who was in denial regarding his disease and needing hospice care. Amy spent time with the gentleman and gave him a chance to talk about his feelings, cry and let go of his denial for the first time.
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Amy Jacobson |
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When he had first arrived he asked Amy, "So, when do I get my steak dinner?" Before he was discharged, Amy, who was off duty, went out, bought him a steak dinner at Black Angus and brought it back. The patient was ecstatic because of Amy's kindness.
When the man was discharged, he said "I received more love in the few hours I was here than I have in years of being in the hospital."
Amy was chosen to receive the STAR award for this loving gesture and many others like it, including delivering dinner to other patients and purchasing toys for children in the ED. Amy is a wonderful, caring nurse, who shows compassion and is a great example of what it means to be a STAR.