Friday, October 01, 2021
For the second year, Beaumont salutes the brave, dedicated work of the organization’s many nurses and nursing support staff through the 2021 Nursing Excellence Awards.
“Nurses and the entire nursing team have been at the forefront of health care, helping people at their greatest time of need,” said Susan Grant, DNP, RN, executive vice president and chief nursing officer, Beaumont Health. “As a team, we have been through a lot together during the last year and a half. With the high level of innovation and compassion practiced throughout the pandemic, it’s no surprise that so many stellar nominations were submitted.”
From each sites’ nominees, one site finalist was awarded in each of 14 award categories for every hospital, including the Beaumont Medical Group and Beaumont Service Center. On Sept. 30, Beaumont announced the 14 system winners in each category.
All health system award winners and site finalists were honored during a special celebration at their work site, Thursday, Sept. 30, live-streamed via Zoom for family members and friends to tune in and cheer on all extraordinary Beaumont nurses and direct nursing support staff.
“I am thrilled to share that we received more than 700 nominations from across the system for the 2021 Beaumont Health Nursing Excellence Awards,” Grant said. “On behalf of everyone at Beaumont, I would like to thank each and every one of our nurses - not just those specially recognized last night. I am forever grateful to all of you for what you have done and continue to do for those who need you.”
This year’s Nurse Hero of the Year award winner is Sandy Parsch of Imlay City, BSN, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Troy.
Parsch was nominated by Lisa Crouse, a breast cancer patient who was in the hospital to receive a bilateral mastectomy Oct. 29, 2020.
“I had been in my room following surgery just a few hours, when I received the heartbreaking news that my father had passed away,” Crouse said. “We were both battling cancer and the news of his death broke my heart.”
Parsch entered the patient’s room with a wheelchair, ready to escort her to her dad's room for her final goodbye.
“Sandy was so gentle, helping me get into the wheelchair, making sure I had my IV and that my drainage tubes were in the proper position. She took me to my dad's bedside and told me to take all the time I needed.”
But Parsch wasn’t finished.
Once they returned to the patient’s room, Parsch gently reminded Crouse that post-surgical walking was necessary to recovery.
“Every step of the way, Sandy gave me words of encouragement and comfort for my loss,” Crouse said. “She deserves this award because she went above and beyond her job duties to help me say goodbye to my dad. I will forever be grateful for her care and compassion.”
When Grant learned of Parsch’s tremendous display of thoughtfulness and compassion, which took place during the third surge, she was touched and inspired.
“Sandy epitomizes what all nurses strive to be: kind, present and willing to go beyond their basic job descriptions to comfort and support patients, often during both peak crisis and a patient’s darkest hour,” Grant said. “She is, quite literally, a hero.”
2021 Nursing Excellence Award Winners
Advanced Practice Nurse Excellence Award Winner
Sarah Berry, of Oxford, DNP, RN, AGCNS-BC, CEN, Beaumont Hospital, Troy
Behind the Scenes Nurse Award Winner
Victoria Stone, of Toledo, Ohio, MBA, BSN, RN, Beaumont Service Center
Nurse Empirical Outcomes Award Winner
Dawn Rote, of Carleton, BSN, RN, SCRN, Beaumont Hospital, Trenton
Nurse Exemplary Professional Practice Award Winner
Karol Swenson, of Grosse Pointe, BSN, RN, CEFM, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe
Nursing Support Staff Helping Hands Collaborator Award Winner
Vickie Tolbert of Garden City, LPN, Beaumont Rehabilitation Center of Farmington Hills
Nursing Support Staff Helping Hands Hero Award Winner
Heidi Ives, of Carlton, NA, Beaumont Hospital, Trenton
Nursing Support Staff Helping Hands Leader Award Winner
Rita Siedlaczek, BA, CPXP, Beaumont hospitals Taylor and Wayne
Nurse New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements Award Winner
Kathleen "Kathy" Swartz of Washington Township, BSN, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
Nurse Preceptor of the Year Award Winner
Bernadit (Bernie) Joychan of Novi, RN, CCRN, Beaumont Hospital, Wayne
Nurse Rookie of the Year Award Winner
Taylor Fisher of Livonia, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills
Structural Empowerment Award Winner
Kim Little of Belle River, Ontario, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe
Nursing Team Award Winner
4 East MICU, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
Transformational Leadership Award Winner
Thomas "Tom" Clancy of Lapeer, BSN, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak