Saying Thank You for a

Saying thank you for a life of service

TrACY bATES

Communications Manager, St. Joseph Health

St. Joseph Health has been the heart of health care in the Brazos Valley for over 85 years. Every day in the halls of our facilities, providers continue the tradition of comprehensive, quality health care that was started by the Sisters of St. Francis so many decades ago.

Delivering comprehensive, quality health care that meets the needs of a diverse patient population takes an extensive team of talented individuals, from physicians and therapists to phlebotomists and environmental services. St. Joseph Health is home to thousands of employees, all of whom are vital to the success of our organization and the health of our community. Nurses’ Week, May 6 - 12, is an opportunity for communities to recognize and thank the many talented nurses who have dedicated their lives to serving others.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, so much was unknown about the disease. Health care providers did not yet understand the disease process or how best to treat it. Fear and panic accompanied any mention of the COVID-19, and those infected were isolated and without a clear understanding of what was happening to them. Even during these scariest of times, nurses donned PPE and faced the unknown head-on, caring for patients both physically and emotionally. When families could not visit loved ones, nurses stepped in, providing support and comfort to our patients. They cared for families, offering explanations, suggestions, support and comfort to them. Nurses did all this while making sacrifices of their own, working long hours and often quarantined away from their own families to prevent potential spread.

As we continue to see decreasing COVID cases, we thank all nurses for their monumental contributions during an incredibly challenging and unprecedented time, and we celebrate their selfless work.

Today, St. Joseph Health is home to approximately 950 nurses, and our organization is incredibly proud of this vast and diverse group of health care professionals.

“The medical/ surgical/oncology nursing teams at St. Joseph Health are the definition of resilience,” said Sheri Pounds, Director of Patient Care at St. Joseph Health. “They have demonstrated the ability to face adverse situations while remaining focused and optimistic even when they are unsure of what the future holds. Our teams not only survived COVID, but thrived by obtaining advanced skills, education, and efficient work processes to care for patients during the most profound circumstances. They learned new ways to communicate, show compassion and maintain safety for patients and themselves. They express compassion daily, through therapeutic communication, alleviating pain, and providing individualized care to the patients in our immediate and surrounding communities. Despite the physical and emotional demands this team may face, they maintain positivity and stamina to endure whatever comes their way.”

St. Joseph Health has a long reputation for offering exceptional, patient-centered care to the Brazos Valley. Our heart and stroke programs have been recognized annually by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association for over a decade for meeting and exceeding quality measures. As a result, these patients have a faster recovery and reduced likelihood of hospital readmission.

“These programs are award-winning because of our amazing nurses’ hard work and commitment. These nurses ensure our patients receive the high-quality care expected for our certifications. Commitment to quality, care and excellence are everyday nursing practices,” said Paula Terrell, Nursing Manager at St. Joseph Health. “We have maintained our award-winning status because of them and the phenomenal job they do caring for our community.”

Additionally, as a stroke center, cardiac center of excellence, trauma center, and bariatric center, St. Joseph Health nurses must maintain high levels of knowledge through continuing education, various certifications and trainings. Nurses truly never stop learning and bettering themselves for those in their care.

In recognition of Nurses Week, The Eagle highlights and celebrates ten local nurses nominated for putting others first and making a significant impact on their community and patients. St. Joseph Health would like to congratulate three of our nurses for the outstanding work they do each day right here at St. Joseph Health. Their commitment and dedication to our mission and their patients are admirable. Congratulations Shenita Summers, RN; Maureen Reynolds, RN, and Kathryn Thomas, RN!

And to all nurses in the Brazos Valley, we celebrate and thank you for all you do!