Caregiver spotlight

Critical care unit nurses Rising to the challenge.

Our critical care unit team has been recognized by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for their exceptional work. We have received the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence in critical care, acknowledging ongoing improvements in patient outcomes and alignment with best practices.

Our critical care unit (CCU) delivers expert care to patients with potentially life-threatening medical conditions, including those with COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, this unit has played a vital role in treating our most seriously ill COVID-19 patients. It is staffed by healthcare professionals who are specially trained to meet patients’ intensive care needs. Donor support, including generous gifts to our COVID-19 Response Fund, helps ensure these professionals have everything they need to respond to the greatest medical challenges.

Patients in our CCU are impacted by traumatic injury, stroke, advanced heart disease, pneumonia or other extremely serious conditions that require fast, expert care. When the pandemic struck, the unit’s 115 staff members worked closely together to ensure they could continue serving these patients and, in addition, meet the needs of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

The team acted quickly. Partnering with our infection control experts, they crafted and implemented a plan that included expanding the CCU’s capacity. This and other prompt action has meant our CCU remains fully prepared for a surge in patient need due to the pandemic.

“They go to extraordinary lengths to bring the best of care to our patients and they have continued their work without pause during the pandemic,” says Nichole Ballweg, RN, CCRN, CCU nurse manager, of the team. “It’s hard for me to find the words for how brave and selfless this group of people is. They come in every day and suit up to do a very difficult job with a great attitude. We’re all in this together.”

Thank you to the nurses, aides, respiratory therapists, physicians and the entire interdisciplinary CCU team for their exceptional work, during the pandemic and always.