Houston Methodist Nurse Sept/Oct 2014

HOUSTON METHODIST NURSE A Magazine for Nurses

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 Alison Mitchell rings the bell for her last chemo treatment.

SURVIVING

BREAST CANCER Nurses tell their personal stories Page 10

Nurses head to Dallas for Magnet Conference Page 9

Part of the family: Get to know St. Catherine Page 15

Liisa Ortegon, chief nursing executive and vice president of operations – Houston Methodist Hospital

Jane DeStefano, vice president and chief nursing officer – Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

Janet Leatherwood, vice president and chief nursing officer – Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Sheila Fata, vice president and chief nursing officer – Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

OUR EPIC JOURNEY Earlier this year, Houston Methodist embarked on the journey to implement Epic, our future computer software system. Across the system, teams have been assembled to help plan, build and launch Epic, which will be rolled out in phases beginning in 2016.

Epic will significantly improve our connection to our patients by providing our clinical team with deeper insight into the overall care of our patients. It will eliminate the many systems and processes we currently have in place at our

Vicki Brownewell, vice president and chief nursing officer – Houston Methodist West Hospital

Sherri Tumbleson, vice president and chief nursing officer – Houston Methodist St. John Hospital

2014 EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Rosario Alvarado Rebecca Bowman Donna Esposito Sarah Fleming Shuntá Fletcher Elizabeth Gigliotti

Beverly Hughes Beverley LaMoth Carlette Patterson Verna Simmons-Robinson Joy Shiller Robyn Washington

MAGAZINE EDITOR Kelli Gifford

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PHOTOGRAPHER Phyllis Gillentine

hospitals, giving us more efficiency, better quality and safety for our patients.

Patients will have real-time access to one online chart to help them manage their care. They can access their medical information on one record with the ability to schedule appointments online, refill prescriptions, send secure email to their physicians and keep informed about important health issues that matter to them.

More than 200 nurses have been involved in the implementation planning, making their voices heard and contributing valuable expertise as subject matter experts (SMEs) during Epic validation sessions, which help Epic define Houston Methodist workflows and prepare for the November Epic system build. We are truly grateful for the contributions of these nurses.

In October, we observe breast cancer awareness and are thankful for the amazing health care Houston Methodist provides in preventing and treating breast cancer. Tremendous resources have been devoted to the development of new treatments and new therapies, and the survival rate keeps increasing. In this issue we hear the personal stories of four nurses who are sure to inspire.

Scheduling your yearly mammogram is vital and Houston Methodist has made making online appointments even easier. Visit houstonmethodist.org/

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HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL NEWS

NURSING ALUMNI LUNCHEON

Nearly 70 retired nurses from Houston Methodist Hospital returned to campus for our 5th Annual Nursing Alumni Luncheon. Roberta Schwartz, executive vice president, provided an update on current happenings at Houston Methodist Hospital, and Liisa Ortegon, senior vice president and chief nurse executive, thanked the attendees for their dedication and individual contributions that have paved the way for today’s nurses. Many members of the group enjoyed visiting with former colleagues and participating in guided tours of the hospital.

“It was good to spend time with the people that I worked with and to see familiar faces from others areas of the hospital of the years past. It was like a family reunion,” said Carmen Fraser, a retired OR nurse who worked for Houston Methodist for 32 years.

THE DAISY AWARD Houston Methodist Hospital

Rita Powell, RN, of the MICU, was named the DAISY Award winner for August. From her nomination letter: “Having recently attended a palliative care workshop, Rita stated that she felt she could use the knowledge she learned to assist her patient’s wife and children. Rita spoke to and comforted the family and explained their options for their terminally ill family member. Rita made it possible for the wife to lay next to her husband during the night and encouraged her to talk to him.

The wife stated, ‘Rita helped me make a very bad situation bearable; she is my angel.’”

Wendy Pettit, RN, of the SICU, was named the DAISY Award winner for September. From her nomination letter: “Wendy was my preceptor when I first started working at Houston Methodist.

She was patient, knowledgeable, and had a natural knack for teaching. She has been employed at the Houston Methodist for years and she always requests for the ‘toughest’ patients.

Day in and day out, I’ve seen Wendy tackle some of the most challenging patients to come across our unit with such grace and poise. She makes learning fun.”

CASE MANAGEMENT WEEK The Case Management Department at Houston Methodist Hospital had a luncheon for the department to celebrate the week.

The department now has two shared governance councils, has implemented the clinical career path with two case managers and six social workers promoted in July. The department now is preparing for its second group to go through the process. Case Management Week, which was observed Oct. 12-18, began in 1998 as an effort to help move the Case Management Society of America forward.

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HOUSTON METHODIST SAN JACINTO NEWS

THE DAISY AWARD Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

DAISY AWARD WINNER The DAISY Award winner for September was Michelle Champagne, RN, for the Hyperbaric Medicine Program at the Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital Alexander campus.

Michelle was awarded for being a caring nurse, and it shows in her daily work. She provides a special touch to those patients with extreme and painful wounds. Her ability to listen ensures her patient’s needs are met before leaving the hospital. If readmitted to the hospital, many patients ask for her personally.

The hyperbaric medicine team at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

PEDIATRIC UNIT HOSTS TEDDY BEAR CLINIC The pediatric unit at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital put on the teddy bear clinic Sept. 27. The event was attended by more than 100 children from the Baytown community. Children brought their teddy bears, and different departments in the hospital simulated what a hospital stay would be like on the teddy bear. There was face painting, a moon walk, crafts and child ID cards were made by the Baytown Police Department.

Right: Adam Stephan, manager on 3 West, examining Tayda Johnson’s teddy bear

SUPPORTING SEPSIS PREVENTION Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital supported sepsis prevention month by giving out information, posting boards and holding a class on sepsis awareness. The class, Sepsis, an Equal Opportunity Killer, was given by Dr. Stephen L. Jones, program director for Sepsis Early Recognition and Response Initiative (SERRI).

Left: The sepsis team at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

NURSES COMPLETE CERTIFICATION EXAMS Congratulations to the following perinatal nurses who passed their NCC specialty certification exam: Inpatient Obstetric Nursing: Andrea Donaie, RNC-OB Carmen Arthurton, BSN, RNC-OB Cathy Arroyo, RNC-OB Kristi Darbonne, RNC-OB Sofia Springer, BSN, RNC-OB Sonja Otwell, RNC-OB 4 HOUSTON METHODIST NURSE

Low Risk Neonatal Nursing: Dawn White, RNC-LRN Jacqueline Bohannon, RNC-LRN Kim Ester, RNC-LRN Maripi Dizon, BSN, RNC-LRN Tamar Johnson, RNC-LRN

Maternal Newborn Nursing: Elsie George, RNC-MNN Gwen Tanner, RNC-MNN Jennifer Hall, RNC-MNN Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing: Kay Noster, RNC-NIC

HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND NEWS PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE® Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital was notified in August by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) that the hospital was designated for the third time as a Pathway to Excellence organization. We celebrated this achievement with a drop-in party for both day and night shift nurses on Sept. 23. Our goal is to make this Pathway designation the foundation for our next great achievement: ANCC Magnet Recognition in 2015!

Thank you for making this a great hospital that provides excellent care.

OSTOMY SEMINAR

Wanda Butaud and Becky Chalupa

On Sept. 19, 35 nurses attended an ostomy seminar at HMSL presented by Dr. Ali Mahmood (colorectal surgeon) and Wanda Butaud, BSN, RN (wound care nurse).

In the seminar, Mahmood provided information on surgeries that require ostomies and the postoperative care needs continue from hospital to home. Butaud coordinated a skills lab to address the nurse’s desire to increase knowledge and skills in pouching basics. She was presented with a crystal award to thank her for leadership and dedication to wound care at HMSL and for empowering nurses to develop their skills and confidence in caring for patients with ostomies.

GOOD SAMARITAN “EXCELLENCE IN NURSING” Ten of HMSL’s outstanding nurses were recognized with the Bronze Award at the 2014 Good Samaritan Excellence in Nursing Awards Sept. 3 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.

Left to right: Chung-Win Fey, Reena Tharakan, Philomena Valson, Daisy Del Rosario, Crystal Hall, Regina Wood, Wanda Butaud, Ann Maguire and Amy Cheng (Yves Senat not pictured).

DELIRIUM PROGRAM Delirium is one of the leading causes of preventable condition in an acute care setting and can be prevented if identified early. In July 2012, Houston Methodist was awarded a Health Care Innovation Award to establish a systemwide initiative for delirium detection and prevention across the continuum of care. HMSL launched its program in October with training for its nursing staff to recognize, evaluate and engage patients who are showing symptoms of delirium. Hospital volunteers have joined our team and will play an integral role in the program along with our nurses, pharmacists and case managers. If you have any questions about the program, contact Charlie (Khang) Tran, project coordinator, at ktran2@houstonmethodist.org or 281.274.8094.

RESEARCH & EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE SYMPOSIUM Houston Methodist and Houston Methodist Research Institute presented a two-day event featuring a writing workshop and “Putting the Pieces Together” Research and EBP Symposium. Many of our nurses presented posters and participated in the panel discussion. HMSL’s participants were: panel discussion participants, Betty Gonzales, DNP, RN, ANP-BC and Chris Rappel, MSN, RN, OCN. Poster session participants, Luz Malit, MSN, RN, CCRN; Chris Rappel, MSN, RN, ONC; Lijo Saji, BSN, RN, CMSRN; Philomena Valson; MSN, RN, CMSRN; Tracy McManaman-Bridges, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM and Mona Seele, MSN, RN, CNS. LEADERS IN NURSING 5

HOUSTON METHODIST WILLOWBROOK NEWS HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE WOW LUAU Employees attended the biannual Houston Methodist Experience Fair in late August to receive hands-on practice in ways to deliver a “wow” experience to patients. The Wow Luau was open for both day and night shifts and included a variety of fun learning experiences, from reviewing basics such as positive language to practicing No Pass Zone, Commit to Sit and hourly rounding initiatives.

NURSE RESIDENTS GRADUATE Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital’s Center for Professional Excellence recently celebrated graduation day for participants in the UHC Residency program. Five nurses were recognized for completing the 12-month program in the emergency and critical care departments. The UHC residency gives new nurse graduates an opportunity to hone clinical skills and confidence working alongside experienced staff and gives them an opportunity to practice research and performance improvement culminating in a project presentation. We wish these graduates well on the next stage in their careers at HMWB!

CELEBRATING SUCCESS – THE RN-MD ALLIANCE With the release of 2014 physician satisfaction data, HMWB nursing is celebrating the success of one of its key initiatives, the RN-MD Alliance. Scores measuring physician satisfaction with nursing improved to outperform benchmarks in every indicator related to nursing. The RN-MD Alliance began its work in 2013 after the previous physician satisfaction survey showed opportunities to improve collaboration between nurses and physicians. Three teams of nurses and physicians (medical, surgery and women’s services) met routinely over the past two years to discuss ways to improve collaboration. Decreasing late-night calls, enhancing protocols for PRN meds and “operation red carpet” in the ORs highlights just some of the work of the alliance. Thank you to the members of this important team for your hard work!

SUPERHEROES AMONG US! Several HMWB nurses are being recognized as “Superheroes of Nursing” through a national recognition program by Elsevier. Rick Bear, BSN, RN, is dubbed “The Informer” for his role in sharing his expertise about documentation systems with colleagues. Blessie Garcia, BSN, RN, PCCN, is “The Protector,” for her evidence-based work on infection prevention as a member of the Clinical Practice Council. Finally, Tessa Osmena, BSN, RN, PCCN, is recognized as “The Validator” a champion of Magnet principals on her unit. Congratulations to these great nurses for earning this honor!

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HOUSTON METHODIST WEST NEWS SYMPOSIUM AWARD WINNERS Houston Methodist West Hospital won “Best Research” and “People’s Choice Award” at the Houston Methodist EvidenceBased Practice Symposium on Sept. 26. Congratulations to Anila Simon, Cheryl Pabico, Jackie Gallardo, Nicole Briard, Tess Veneracion and Sarah Fleming!

RESEARCH FAIR Houston Methodist West Hospital’s first Research Fair was a success! Poster topics presented by various departments included the following: • ICU – Retrospective Study Utilizing FTE (Fast Tract Extubation) in HMW Cardiac Surgery Program – Sarah Fleming, MBA, BSN; Anila Simon, MSN; Charyl Pabico, BSN; Nicole Briard, BSN; Jacqueline Gallardo, CMA; and Tess Veneracion, BSN • Med/surg units – Reducing Readmissions-CHF Support Group – Sarah Fleming, MBA, BSN; Anila Simon, MSN; Charyl Pabico, BSN; Nicole Briard, BSN; Jacqueline Gallardo, CMA and Tess Veneracion, BSN • AOD department – Reducing Surgical Site Infections with SAGE wipes – Sharri Honarvar, RN; Sandra Rocha, RN and Florence Selle, RN • Case management department – Community-based Care Transition Program – Alma Villanueva and Rosalie Ramirez and Case Management and Social Work department

HUDDLE UP! 6 WEST FALL CAMPAIGN Congratulations 6 West for implementing a fall huddle and going 70 days fall-free! Keep up the great work.

Events at West: • OR Patient Safety Seminar: Oct. 18 • Positively Pink Event: Oct. 18 • Chili Cook-Off: Oct. 31, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Contact Everett Hood for information.

• Sepsis Simulation Training with the SimMan: – Oct. 2, 3-6 p.m.

– Oct. 3, 1-4 p.m.

– Oct. 7, 8-11 a.m.

– Oct. 10, 1-4 p.m.

– Oct. 13, 1-4 p.m.

– Oct. 15, 3-6 p.m.

Sign up in MARS for SEPSIS second level assessment SIMULATION TRAINING.

LEADERS IN NURSING 7

HOUSTON METHODIST ST. JOHN NEWS

THE DAISY AWARD Houston Methodist St. John Hospital

The hospital awarded its third DAISY Award in September to Donna Unson, a nurse on our busiest medical unit. Donna was nominated by multiple patients and their families for her patience and willingness to spend the time with the patient needed to ensure their physical and spiritual recovery. Thank you, Donna, for your commitment to the care of our patients!

Houston Methodist St. John will host the 24th Annual Reindeer Run on Dec. 6. The run is a great family event including a kid’s 1K, chip-timed 5K, an arts and crafts station, petting zoo and appearances from Santa and Rudy. For more information on the event and to register, visit www.houstonmethodist.org/reindeer-run.

COMMISSION ON CANCER RECERTIFICATION At the beginning of October, HMSTJ completed a site visit and was reaccredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC).

The CoC, established by the American College of Surgeons, is the only multidisciplinary accreditation program for cancer programs in the United States. The CoC focuses on patient-centered care and ensures patients have access to a full scope of services from diagnosis through rehabilitation and family support. Congratulations and thank you to all of the individuals that helped ensure our success in reaccreditation!

COMFORT CART/BLANKETS The palliative care team and oncology departments have teamed up to build “comfort carts” for our patients receiving cancer treatment to include music and sound machines, journals, aromatherapy, faith-based novelties and “love” blankets. While not medical technology, these items included in the cart can have profound effects on our patients. Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the love blankets are themed in honor of our patients battling breast cancer. These carts are helping our patients and their families to feel more like they are being cared for in a home-like environment and are a small comfort in a frightening and uncertain point in their journey.

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MAGNET CONFERENCE

Celebrating

MAGNET RECOGNITION! More than 90 nurses and leaders from the system joined the approximately 7,000 nurses, nursing executives and health care professionals from across the country gathered to celebrate Magnet Recognition and share evidence-based practices.

Houston Methodist was well-represented at the ANCC National Magnet Conference in Dallas from Oct. 7-10. More than 90 nurses and leaders from the system joined the approximately 7,000 nurses, nursing executives and health care professionals from across the country gathered to celebrate Magnet Recognition and share evidence-based practices. Of special significance was the fact that Houston Methodist Willowbrook was formally recognized as a newly designated Magnet organization. Participants from Houston Methodist showed their excitement by wearing Houston Methodist blue clothing, flashing cowboy hats and noisemakers. They used these to make a grand entrance at the awards and announcement event, showing their support for Houston Methodist Willowbrook.

Several Houston Methodist Willowbrook staff presented at conference sessions. Susan Weimer, MSN, RN, presented a poster on the impact of communication on nursing staff engagement.

Wendi Froedge, MSN, RN, CCRN, Carol Jennings, BSN, RN, CCRN, and Sandra Norris, RN-BC, presented “Blazing a Trail! How Magnet Champions Help Forge the Path Toward ‘Destination Magnet’” on nurse engagement during the Magnet process. Sheila Fata, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer at Houston Methodist Willowbrook, with Elizabeth Barnett, BSN, RNCOB, and Sarah Shaunfield, RNC-OB, presented “Transition of Obstetric Triage to the Obstetric Emergency Department,” regarding the establishment of the hospital’s OB-ED model.

Throughout the week, the Houston Methodist Human Resources booth was crowded with attendees interested in learning more about the organization’ and employment opportunities, a testament to Houston Methodist’s strong reputation in nursing across the state and around the country.

It wasn’t all work during the conference, as participants enjoyed a special evening at Medieval Times hosted by all of the chief nursing officers across the system. Beryl Ramsey, chief executive officer of Houston Methodist Willowbrook and senior vice president of Houston Methodist, also hosted a celebration dinner at Iron Cactus for Houston Methodist Willowbrook attendees.

As the buses were loaded for the return trip to Houston, Houston Methodist team members were all smiles, as they shared stories of networking, what they learned at the education sessions, the Magnet recognition celebration, and the fun and camaraderie that was experienced among colleagues systemwide.

LEADERS IN NURSING 9

SURVIVORS Houston Methodist nurses battle breast cancer­— and win Alison Mitchell, RN, MSN, ACNP Houston Methodist Hospital

D

uring a routine mammogram earlier this year, nurse practitioner Alison Mitchell was told there was something suspicious so she underwent an ultrasound that showed a tumor in her right breast.

“It really was a blessing from God (that it was found),” Mitchell says. “I was very lucky. My surgeon said he wouldn’t have felt anything.”

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By Kelli Gifford, Magazine Editor

The biopsy came back as infiltrating ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer. Mitchell had surgery in May and started chemo on her 49th birthday, in June.

“It was my lifesaving birthday gift. I’ll be fit, fabulous and 50 by next year!” she says.

Mitchell, who was named Texas Nurse Practitioner of the Year in September, emphasizes the importance of team support when going through something like cancer. “No man is an island, so you need to reach out to others to help you. But that’s how I operated

Schedule Your Mammogram Houston Methodist offers nine convenient imaging locations across Houston: • Houston Methodist Hospital 713.441.6550 • Houston Methodist Breast Imaging Center-Kirby – 713.441.PINK (7465) • Houston Methodist Imaging Center-Katy Freeway – 713.797.XRAY (9729) • Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital 832.556.6300 anyway,” she explains. “I’m a team player and encourage everyone to be all they can be. Because when you’re doing that, you get the most satisfaction out of your job.”

One moment Mitchell remembers so fondly is when she approached her VP Katherine Walsh, also a breast cancer survivor, about her diagnosis. Walsh took an inspirational bracelet from her own arm and put it on Mitchell’s. “She grabbed my hand and said it would be OK. We’ll get through this,” Mitchell says. “I wear that bracelet every day.”

“None of us is perfect, but I think we see a lot of people rise. If you give people a challenge and give them backing, they’ll rise. We spend a lot of our time at work, so let’s make our workplace a great place.”

– Alison Mitchell

• Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital 281.599.4570 • Houston Methodist St. John Hospital 281.333.8858 • Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital 281.274.7170 • Houston Methodist West Hospital 832.522.1234 • Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital 281.737.1900 For easy and convenient online scheduling, visit houstonmethodist.org/online-scheduling.

She also received a phone call from Roberta Schwartz, executive vice president of HMH, who survived breast cancer at a young age and founded the Young Survival Coalition, which now includes more than 25,000 members worldwide. “That is a true mentoring of leadership,” Mitchell says. “Your goal should be to replace yourself.

That’s why the TNP award was so special—I had mentored the last two presidents.

“None of us is perfect, but I think we see a lot of people rise. If you give people a challenge and give them backing, they’ll rise. We spend a lot of our time at work, so let’s make our workplace a great place.”

Mitchell says that going through breast cancer hasn’t changed the way she approaches her job: “I’ve always felt you should treat your patients like family.” But she says it’s important to be open to the support that’s out there, allow vulnerability and be encouraged to ask for help — and most of all, be grateful.

“The more time you spend being grateful, the happier it makes you,” she continues.

“It’s all these things we take for granted, it makes you grateful. We have some really bad days as nurses — really bad days — but we do it together.”

‘BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING’ Lisa Amosu-Smith, owner of My Trendy Place, which also houses Houston Lace Front Wigs, had a calling to help cancer patients so she volunteers for the American Cancer Society. She comes to Houston Methodist Hospital every Wednesday, visits the cancer center to deliver free wigs to patients. She feels “blessed to be a blessing,” and loves building up the confidence of the patients.

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Debbie Starling, RN Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital

I

“

always knew I would have breast cancer,” says Debbie Starling, a clinical manager.

She has dealt with suspicious mammograms for years starting when she was 35, due to the dense tissue in her breasts. She was diagnosed in 2010 at age 49.

“Every year was a struggle,” she recalls. “I would go for a mammogram and they’d want me to come back for further testing. It was like six weeks of terror every year because there was always something they wanted to look at.”

“I’m a very self-confident person— I never thought it would have affected me that way, but it did. I had a lot of body image disorder issues; I became very isolated.” – Debbie Starling

“As soon as I found out, I wanted them off,” she says. “I told my doctor, ‘Just take them. I don’t want them. I’m tired of this.’”

Because of the Paget’s disease and catching the cancer early, Starling did not have to go through chemo or radiation. But her mastectomy didn’t go quite as she expected.

During the surgery and reconstruction, which were not performed at a Houston Methodist hospital, the doctor took tissue from her abdomen to rebuild her breasts, but the tissue in one breast died, leaving her with one size D and the other a size A. She also was left with no sensation at all in her breasts—they felt numb.

“I don’t know if it wasn’t really explained to me or if I didn’t ask the right questions; I just thought I didn’t want it to happen again and was being proactive,” Starling says.

For the past three years, Starling has dealt with the aftereffects of the surgery and subsequent body issues. “I’m a very self-confident person — I never thought it would have affected me that way, but it did. I had a lot of body image disorder issues; I became very isolated,” she says.

She has since had her breasts redone, with some tissue removed from the larger one and an implant put in the smaller one.

Going through breast cancer has made Starling, as a manager, more sympathetic to her nurses and their personal needs, she says.

“I’m very compassionate, and I’m more understanding of people with body image issues.”

Starling had two types of cancer — the first of which prompted her to get a mammogram. She had Paget’s disease, a rare form of breast cancer in which cancer cells collect in or around the nipple. This is an external indicator of an internal problem. Her mammogram showed she also had ductal carcinoma, and she opted for a double mastectomy.

Overall, she tries to keep perspective.

Susan Weimer, MSN, RN Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

her family members all were diagnosed between ages of 57 and 59.

W

ith a strong family history of breast cancer, Susan Weimer always knew there was a chance she would suffer the same fate as her mother and five aunts. But at 44, she thought she had years to go before that happened —

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“I lost a friend at age 40 to breast cancer. I thought that would be my destiny, too.”

Weimer was returning from a workout and preparing to shower when she first felt the lump in her breast. “I choose to believe God put my hand there,” she says.

A subsequent diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound showed enlarged lymph nodes, so the lump and the lymph nodes were biopsied. Within two days of her biopsy she got the call that the results were positive.

Weimer underwent a lumpectomy. “I had always said that with the family history I had if I ever had a scare or inkling I’d have (my breasts) removed, but until it came time to make that decision it was real easy to decide (against the mastectomy),” she says.

“My oncologist asked why I wanted to be so radical and said that having a mastectomy does not reduce your chances of recurrence any more than having a lumpectomy. (He) was a very reasonable person and I trusted him unlike I’ve ever trusted any physician.

He said if I had a mastectomy that they’re not going to get every bit of breast tissue, and if you leave any behind you could have cancer come back again.”

“I had to be on my game; I had to be a nurse first. I checked my cancer at the door.”

“God put my hand there, I choose to believe.”

Weimer’s coworkers really pulled together for her. When she was at work, they would wipe down everything for her and alert her of situations where someone was sick. “The nurses were very protective of me,” she adds.

– Susan Weimer

Weimer, who is a night shift charge nurse for the Mother-Baby Unit, says her work was her therapy. She was going through chemo before she had surgery, so she knew the cancer was still in her body. But when she clocked in, she “had to be a nurse for 12 hours.”

Mary Beth Arroyo, RN Houston Methodist St. John Hospital

F

or Mary Beth Arroyo, a cath lab nurse and single mother, taking care of others comes naturally.

But letting people take care of her in her time of need was much harder.

In 2012, Arroyo found a lump in the left side of her breast but didn’t pay attention to it, thinking she had no family history and led a healthy life. A few months later she decided she probably should get it checked out. The radiologist said it looked highly suspicious on a mammogram and prepared her for a biopsy. Two days later it came back positive.

What made it easier, she says, was being a nurse, having all the help she could need and knowing there are a lot of survivors.

“That made me motivated,” Arroyo says. “I was like, ‘OK, I have breast cancer. Come on, let’s start the treatment!”

She also credits her nurse navigator with making the process so easy. “She called me right away and took care of everything … all I had to do was show up.”

Her favorite part of coming to work was visiting the well-baby nursery and “loving on the brand-new babies and new life.”

“That was my reprieve. I get to be a nurse and see these new babies. That kept things in perspective,” Weimer says.

As a nurse, Weimer now knows what it’s like to be on the other side and is proud to be a part of the Houston Methodist family.

“I know what it’s like to be a patient and what it’s like to be an employee. And I know that I’ve always said about Houston Methodist is you’re treated the way we’re expected to treat our patients, and I truly believe that…I wasn’t treated any differently.”

Arroyo was 47 when she was diagnosed. She went through chemo, had a lumpectomy in December 2012 and radiation in February 2013. She has been cancer-free for six months.

She calls her experience a “beautiful” one, which she credits in part to letting go and letting others take care of her.

“As moms and nurses, we’re providing all the care; we’re taking care of our family, taking care of our patients. … I felt like I was Superwoman, but when I was sick I felt like I was human. I am vulnerable. I’m not superhuman. I realized later on how good it is for people to take care of me. I felt so good,” she says.

“It’s like a marathon, and you’re so close to the finish line. The hardest part is getting through it.”

– Mary Beth Arroyo Arroyo, who was married this summer, says she has no resentment that she had breast cancer because she felt very supported.

“Of course you feel it and you ask God some questions, but then later on when you get through the humps you feel like the best thing is to be a survivor,” she explains. “It’s like a marathon, and you’re so close to the finish line. The hardest part is getting through it.”

Arroyo says her experience definitely changed the way she approaches her job.

“As a nurse, when I talk to the patients, I feel what they feel, and having gone through what they’re going through, I feel like I am part of them…My approach is different now because I’ve been through it. It’s not just about telling people what to do, it’s like you’re part of them.”

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STRIKE OUT SEPSIS CAMPAIGN at Houston Methodist West Hospital The Strike Out Sepsis Campaign kicked off in September at HMW. Nurse-driven, the campaign provides resources for nurses to screen, monitor and initiate communication with a physician if they believe their patient is experiencing signs and symptoms of sepsis.

A Sepsis Nursing Coordination Council helped implement a sepsis screen and other tools for nurses to use in patient care. Hard work, multiple planning sessions and dedication have led to positive early recognition and treatment results.

The council identified secondlevel responders, such as charge nurses, NPs, sepsis champions and physicians as key players in the identification and treatment of sepsis. All second-level responders went through additional hands-on simulation training in August. The objective is for second-level responders to be able to identify sepsis early and provide prompt, appropriate interventions for patients who screen positive for sepsis.

The Sepsis Order Set is based off a grant-funded program from SERRI, an acronym for Sepsis Early Recognition and Response Initiative. It is an evidence-based, nurse-driven program developed to halt the progression of sepsis by early detection and intervention.

Houston Methodist West’s kickoff was a success! Staff played educational sepsis games throughout the day, while posters offered pertinent sepsis information, and prizes went to some of the posters.

Winners from the poster contest include the following: • Most Education to the Public: “Sepsis” – 6 East Med/Surge Unit • Most Educational to West Staff: “Second Responders” – ICU Unit • Most Creative: “Boot out Sepsis” – Emergency Department • Best Sepsis Presentation: Sepsis video – 6 West Med/Surge Unit September is Sepsis Awareness Month and Houston Methodist West constantly strives to recognize, treat and care for patients with sepsis.

The nursing units echo with great “catch” stories by the frontline staff. Their critical-thinking skills along with the sepsis screening tool have led to early recognition and treatment of several patients. With the continued support and dedication of the frontline staff and the collaboration with physicians, HMW will strive to “Strike Out Sepsis.”

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By Sarah Fleming

Sepsis at a Glance By: Sarah Fleming, with Elizabeth Gigliotti and Shannon Chase Weck

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a potentially deadly but treatable condition resulting from an overwhelming immune response to an infection. The infection can be bacterial, viral or fungal. Chemicals released to fight infection trigger an uncontrolled, unregulated, widespread inflammatory response that leads to blood clots and leaky vessels that impair blood flow and subsequently cause organ damage.

Who gets sepsis?

Sepsis is an equal opportunity disease. Those with weakened immune systems, the very young and very old, and those with chronic illnesses are at highest risk, as well as those with a history of recent hospitalization or an invasive medical device or procedure.

What are the signs and symptoms of sepsis?

There must be a documented or suspected infection as well as some of the following: • Fever and shaking chills or a very low body temperature • Heart rate >90 bpm • Tachypnea • Altered mental status • Hyperglycemia in the absence of diabetes • Leukocytosis or leukopenia • Hypotension\hypoxemia • Acute oliguria • Creatinine increase > 0.5mg/dL • Coagulopathies • Decreased capillary refill or mottling • Hyperlactatemia How is sepsis treated?

• Early recognition and intervention by the frontline staff increases survival • Tests to identify infection such as blood, urine, sputum, and body fluid cultures or other diagnostic tests such as X-rays or CT scans • Immediate fluid resuscitation • Prompt antibiotic/anti-infective administration

Q&A:

HOUSTON METHODIST ST. CATHERINE HOSPITAL For additional information, please contact Caroline Mascarenhas, director of patient care cmascarenhas@houstonmethodist.org.

Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital, which joined the Houston Methodist family in February, is a specialty hospital focused on the needs of patients requiring long-term acute care and complements the services of Houston Methodist West Hospital.

Caroline Mascarenhas is the director of patient care at St. Catherine. Wayne Voss, CEO of Houston Methodist West, oversees St. Catherine as well.

Q

How was the transition to a long-term acute care facility?

Q

What did it entail?

Q

What is the relationship with Houston Methodist West Hospital?

Q

From the nursing perspective, what changes did HMSTC face?

Q

What other services are offered?

Q

Houston Methodist What is the plan for the future of Houston Methodist St. Catherine?

Willlowbrook Hospital

The sign on the emergency room was taken down at midnight on Jan. 31 and replaced with the long-term acute care banners, with the first patient already receiving high-quality care associated with Houston Methodist. The transition continues to be a positive and exciting experience. Patient and family-centered care remains at the center of this process.

A core group of clinicians and ancillary staff ensured that all patient care needs from equipment to services were in place to serve patients.

HMW continues to be an integral part of the day-to-day operations of HMSTC. Most of the support services, i.e. lab, EVS, pharmacy and many others, are managed through departments from HMW. Higher clinical needs of our patients are also met through the partnership with HMW. HMW also supports all employee HR and education needs.

Some aspects of daily operations such as the documentation system, equipment and physician services remained as part of the transition, which made it easier for the nursing staff. A few processes had to change such as having to liaison with an offsite laboratory (HMW) and not having the 24-hour presence of large departments.

Outpatient imaging and the Sports and Rehabilitation Clinic are located on the HMSTC campus. A wound care clinic is scheduled to open in November.

The campus is vast and scenic with luxurious buildings, and the potential is immense. Growth and expansion of the FULL SERVICE LTACH is scheduled for 2015. The need for postacute care services such asHOSPITAL rehab, SNF, etc., is being evaluated.

SPECIALTY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE CENTER

HMSTC 102

BY THE

Houston Methodist West Hospital

Houston Methodist Imaging Center

6 Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital

Katy, TX

NUMBERS

36

Number of licensed beds

32

Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center Kirby Houston Methodist Breast Imaging Center

Beds in phase one, by first quarter

IMAGING CENTER

21

Average daily census

Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

Number of nurses

2001 The year the hospital was built

120

Number of employees

Houston Methodist Hospital

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Houston Methodist

LEADERS IN NURSING 15

PILOTING AND SUSTAINING EBP PROJECTS

By Robin Howe, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

How is piloting an evidence-based practice (EBP) change project similar to driving through Houston in rush hour traffic?

Both require a planned path, teamwork, participant commitment, and, yes, both are often associated with a certain degree of dread.

An EBP project utilizes a change protocol as the planned path like a road map or GPS navigation tool. One of the important first steps of the protocol is to identify the baseline or prechange data. Just like a GPS needs to know the starting point in order to provide directions, every change project needs predata to help determine measurements of success.

The EBP protocol defines each step of the change, lists the evidence and rationale supporting the change, and details the required education for the participants. In addition, the protocol identifies the various points at which the process will be evaluated for success or failure. At each of the predetermined evaluation points, the success and challenges in the pilot will be reviewed. Is the unit seeing a decrease in adverse events as a result of the change? If not, perhaps there is a hidden reason that is preventing the full implementation of the change, much like a wrong turn forces the GPS to “recalculate” the route.

Anyone associated with a change project knows that teamwork is essential to its successful completion.

Teamwork begins with the development of the project goals, identification of the resources needed and processes that will be impacted by the change. Two important attributes of teamwork and participant commitment is that the team functions as stakeholders providing valuable input during the development phase as well as champions during

16 HOUSTON METHODIST NURSE

implementation of the EBP project. In addition, the team members help to identify any obstacles or challenges during the pilot that would prevent its successful completion.

Frequent obstacles to successful EBP projects are related to reliance on traditional methods instead of the evidence, or failure to identify a key component in the process.

Congratulations! Your EBP pilot project is completed. Now it’s time to move on to the next project, right? Not so fast.

How do you plan to keep the momentum for your change going? How do you measure success of the change? The successful completion of any project is initially measured by meeting the goals set out during the planning stage of the pilot. For example, if the EBP project was to implement methods to reduce central line blood stream infections (CLABSI) in the neonatal ICU through the adoption of line maintenance bundle protocols, initially success is measured by a reduction in the number of CLABSI events in the neonatal ICU. In order to measure the unit’s ability to continue to maintain or improve the results, it will be necessary to continue monitoring the number of CLABSI events for an extended time period. The specific time period varies by project based on the complexity of the change, but is usually an additional three to 12 months after the pilot end. Some EBP projects are part of quality initiatives that affect patient safety and are continuously monitored.

References Gallagher-Ford, L., Fineout-Overholt, E., Mazurek Melnyk, B., & Stillwell, S. B. (2011). Evidence-based practice—Step-bystep: Rolling out the rapid response team. AJN, 111 (5), 42-47.

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE SYMPOSIUM Houston Methodist, in collaboration with Houston Methodist Research Institute, hosted the 2014 Evidence-Based Practice Symposium, Evidence-Based Practice: Putting the Pieces Together.

The purpose of the symposium was to promote and build a community of interprofessional clinicians and stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct, interpret and translate evidence-based practice (EBP) and research at the bedside in order to improve patient safety and outcomes.

The posters presented at the symposium were judged by a panel of seven independent judges from various backgrounds. The winners were as follows: • 1st place: Saadia Ali, Pharm D, Houston Methodist Hospital • 2nd place: Frederick Macapagal, BSN, RN, CCRN, Houston Methodist Hospital • 3rd place: Shirley Tran, BS, RN, Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group

• Abstract Award: Teresa Peters, MSN, RN, CCRN, Houston Methodist Hospital • Evidence-Based Practice Award: Sharon Tatum, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CEN, Houston Methodist Hospital

• Research Award: Sarah Fleming, MBA, BSN, RN, Houston Methodist West Houston • The People’s Choice Award: Sarah Fleming, MBA, BSN, RN, Houston Methodist West Houston

Using bundle to decrease skin breakdown in ICU patients

By Rebecca Bowman, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital has taken a new approach to protecting the skin integrity of patients. Skin care champions identified through the Critical Care Unit-Based Shared Governance Council researched what could be done to decrease skin breakdown in ICU patients and found that bundling shows positive results. Bundling is a structured way to improve processes of care and patient outcomes. The champions bundled best practices for skin care and “SKINNI skin care bundle” became a reality.

“Many organizations have found success with bundling,” said Cindy Barefield, RN, certified wound ostomy and continence Nurse (CWOCN) at Houston Methodist San Jacinto. “The Critical Care Unit-Based Shared Governance Council reviewed work from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as well as organizations featured in journals such as Critical Care Nurse and Journal of Nursing Care Quality to find illustrations of skin care bundles. Ultimately, the goal is to decrease the occurrence of hospitalacquired pressure ulcers (HAPU). Bundling provides the patient at risk with comprehensive preventive skin care by putting the best practice measures together.”

Shared governance councils introduced SKINNI skin care b undle to encourage and support the bedside nurse to become empowered with

pressure ulcer prevention. Nursing empowerment includes providing the nurse with the authority to act, ensuring the nurse holds accountability for the patient’s care as well as their own professionalism, and that the nurse accepts his or her role in the decision-making surrounding patient care.

Implementation of the skin care bundle in the critical care units has greatly raised awareness in the critical care areas. “Skin” has been added as a category to daily care rounds for the patients.

Pressure ulcer surveys are conducted monthly to evaluate progress toward the goal to “decrease occurrence of unit-based HAPU in critical care units with recognition of patients at high risk for pressure ulcer development and implementation of strategies for prevention.”

Skin care champions continue to foster creative ideas on how to integrate pressure ulcer prevention into the busy daily routine of every critical care nurse. If a HAPU occurs, one of the skin care champions details the patient with specific risk factors for development, what went well, opportunities for improvement and lessons learned. All the work of the Critical Care UnitBased Shared Governance Council on the skin care bundle is being shared with the med/surg units as they begin the process of “owning the skin” through the bundle.

SKINNI Skin Care Bundle: SKINNI is an acronym used to assess patients who are at risk for skin breakdown. If a patient is identified as at risk on a tool called the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk they are assessed using the SKINNI Skin Care Bundle.

S=Specialty bed K=Keep repositioning I=Incontinence management N=Nutrition N=Needs/risks I=Improve documentation

LEADERS IN NURSING 17

CAREER COACH’S CORNER

The motivation to keep moving

By Shuntá Fletcher, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CVRN-BC

Patient Care Assistant Laquinta Mitchell got her start working in the Food and Nutrition department of Houston Methodist Hospital. She eventually set a personal goal to get a job working directly with patients.

After talking to co-workers in other departments, Laquinta trained to become a patient transporter. While in that job, she continued to work toward her goals.

During her travels throughout the hospital Laquinta stopped Julie Reyes, nursing manager on Main 3 Northwest, and explained she had received her CNA certification and was looking for a job as a PCA. Reyes was able to help Laquinta land the job on her unit, where she p currently works.

Laquinta wanted to keep advancing so she sought the help of a career coach. After her first coaching session, she continued to climb the ladder and became one of the first PCA IIIs at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Laquinta Mitchell

“It’s good to know there is always someone you can talk to and not feel like you are stuck

where you are,” Laquinta said.

She remains in close contact with her coach, who has provided encouragement along with a guide to the classes she needs to take as she pursues her BSN.

If you would like greater career success or need help in solidifying your vision for the future coaching appointments are flexible and are conducted by face-face interview or telephone. For more information please contact The Center for Professional Excellence at 713.441.4546 or via email at cpecareercoaching@houstonmethodist.org.

I CARE AT WORK Christine LaCoste, RN, Case Manager, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital After a 75-year-old man contracted a life-threatening infection at a skilled nursing facility, he came to Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital for treatment. His daughter wrote a letter praising the work of the physicians, but put the spotlight on another person: her father’s case manager Christine LaCoste, RN. The father needed to be transferred to a long-term acute care facility, but insurance denied it.

LaCoste says that they often run into that situation, but she wasn’t willing to give up and neither was the patient’s daughter. The two teamed up to plead the patient’s case, LaCoste going to the insurance company to appeal and the daughter to the State Board of Insurance.

When it got to the appeals process, the insurance company wanted to make it as difficult as possible, LaCoste recalls. “The insurance wanted him to be moved to a lower level of care and we couldn’t do that. Not in the situation he was in. I wasn’t going to let him be denied what he deserved.

Christine LaCoste, RN

“I’m a very persistent person,” LaCoste continues. “I want the best for my patients and I wasn’t going to let them win.”

Toward the end of the process, Lacoste had everybody helping her. The insurance company finally asked her to fax 650 pages worth of documentation. “They wanted me to give up. They thought if they asked the impossible of me that I would back down. I wasn’t going to do it,” she says. “That was the first time I’ve ever gotten an authorization out of that insurance company for that level of care. I felt pretty good.”

LaCoste was awarded the Houston Methodist I CARE Award in spring 2014 for her work with this family.

18 HOUSTON METHODIST NURSE

Nurses Participate in Epic Project Planning As Houston Methodist continues on our journey to implement Epic, nurses are playing a key role by using their clinical knowledge to make sure the system is functional and accurate. In 2016, Epic will be rolled out across Houston Methodist as the one system for patient care, medical records and billing.

Houston Methodist employees from across the system have become part of the Epic team. Byanca Janog, RN, Epic operational expert, OpTime, joined the team from the operating room at Houston Methodist Hospital.

“It’s different not having the patient interaction, but the Houston Methodist Epic Project Team has done a very good job of having a mix of people,” she says. “It’s all really meshed well and everyone is here to help each other, so it’s been a nice transition.”

“It’s the end user you want to help, those who are caring for the patient. You want to make their lives easier.” – Byanca Janog

those who are caring for the patient. You want to make their lives easier.”

If you have questions about Epic, contact the appropriate entity-based nurse champion listed below, visit epic.houstonmethodist.org or email epic@houstonmethodist.org.

Entity-based Nurse Champions

With Epic, everyone involved in a patient’s care can access everything they need to know to care for that patient.

HMH – Connie Lauw, cmlauw@houstonmethodist.org

“Epic allows nurses to see the full story of a patient electronically throughout the entire episode of care,” says Suzan Lee, RN, MS, NEA-BC, Epic nurse champion.

HMSL – Susan Laws, sdlaws@houstonmethodist.org

Utilizing nurses during the transition to Epic is imperative because they can offer their clinical expertise during the build decision sessions (Validation Sessions) resulting in clinical workflows that align with our selected EHR. “We make sure it’s designed right so when they build it it’s functional and works with the workflow,” says Janog, who is pursuing a master’s degree in nursing with a specialty in health care informatics. “It’s the end user you want to help,

HMSJ – Cindy Theriot, ctheriot@houstonmethodist.org HMSTC – Richard Hart, rhart2@houstonmethodist.org HMSTC – Caroline Mascarenhas, CMascarenhas@houstonmethodist.org HMSTJ – Krystal Garza, kgarza@houstonmethodist.org HMSTJ – Cynthia Edwards, caedwards2@houstonmethodist.org HMW – Judy Clark-Knight, jclark-knight@houstonmethodist.org HMWB – Mercedes Summers, mtsummers@houstonmethodist.org

More than 30,000 Houstonians will participate in the Heart & Stroke Walk on November 8 at 8:30 a.m. in support of the American Heart Association’s fight against heart disease and stroke. Bigger than ever before, the Heart & Stroke Walk —of which Houston Methodist is a proud sponsor — will take place again at NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park). The walk will feature family fun and physical fitness to promote walking as a part of a healthy lifestyle while raising funds to support cardiovascular research and educational programs for the American Heart Association. For more information, visit houstonheartwalk.org.

LEADERS IN NURSING 19

NURSING NEWS ACCOLADES Houston Methodist is proud to have nurses who are dedicated to the nursing profession, driven to achieve growth in their professional development, and creative and always compassionate in their care for patients.

HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL Joy Shiller, RN, BSN, MS, CAPA, Main 3 OR Pre-op, had an article, “Gabriella’s Promise,” accepted by Sigma Theta Tau International to be published next month. She also will be attending the national item writing committee for the CAPA certification exam in Nashville in October. Way to go, Joy! Serge Wandji, MSN, RN, MBA, CNL, of the psychiatry department, received his clinical nurse leader (CNL) certification from the Commission on Nurse Certification of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Congratulations, Serge!

Erline Joseph-Reid, RN on Dunn 4 West/Dunn 10 East transplant units, completed her master’s degree at Walden University to become an adult family nurse practitioner. Erline graduated with 4.0 GPA. Congratulations, Erline!

Latasha Cole, Geoff Hood and Tiffany McCarthy were promoted from RN I to RN II for the inpatient transplant units Dunn 4 West/ Dunn 10 East. Way to go!

Cora Bito, RN, BSN, passed her certification to become a certified nephrology nurse. Congratulations, Cora!

Danielle Butler-Winey, RN, manager of HMH emergency department, passed the nurse executive certification exam.

Congratulations, Danielle!

Mary Strickland, RN, manager of the Kirby Emergency Care Center, passed the nurse executive certification exam. Way to go, Mary!

Nicole Fontenot is our new manager of the nurse practitioner service. She has been with Houston Methodist since 2013, working as a RN IV in the Medical ICU. Congratulations, Nicole!

Congratulations to Tawakalitu Raji, case manager, for passing her certification as a Certified Case Manager (CCM)!

Welmae Ethelle Chiasson, a PCA on Dunn 8, passed her RN certification.

Congratulations, Welmae!

Maybeth S. Panuncillon, BSN, RN, on Fondren 11, completed her Cardiovascular Registered Nurse – Board Certification

(CVRN-BC). Maybeth was awarded her elite title of CVRN-BC in June. Congratulations, Maybeth!

Aaron Martin, Main ED, received his certified psychiatric technician certification.

Way to go, Aaron!

Congratulations to Jennifer Tata, RN, BSN, flex team, for completing her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Prairie View A&M University to become an adult family nurse practitioner (FNP-C).

Congratulations to Myrah Ubas, RN, BSN, CCRN, Raven Hicks, RN, BSN, CCRN, and Jackie Hourigan, RN, BSN, CCRN, for passing their CCRN exams. Great job!

Congratulations to Marian Skewes, RN, MSN, for being nominated for the Swadesh Khurana Outstanding Caregiver in Stroke Award. Way to go!

Congratulations to Danna Norris and Maria Bandookwala on achieving their BSN degrees! Great work, ladies!

Congratulations to Grace Akwari, RN, BSN, Flex Team, who recently completed her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to become an adult family nurse practitioner (FNP-C).

Nora Rillon, BSN, RN, and LaTonya Johnson, RN, passed the medical-surgical certification. Congratulations!

Freddie Valdez achieved his certification for psychiatric technician. Congratulations, Freddie!

HOUSTON METHODIST WEST Rachel Rickerson successfully completed her CCRN certification.

HOUSTON METHODIST SAN JACINTO Tammy Morgan and Sara Sullivan from 2 West received their ANCC Certification.

Congratulations!

HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND Congratulations to Megan L. Nader, BSN, RN – OR Services, and Linda K. Matlock, BSN, RN – Summa Cum Laude – OR Services, for earning their advanced degrees!

Congratulations to the following for receiving certifications: Oncology Certification (OCN): Chung-Win (Joy) Fey, RN, Andrea Dalcour-Cotton, RN Orthopedic Certification (ONC) Christopher Rappel, RN Certified Medical-Surgical RN (CMSRN) Helen Akpan, RN, Anifa Andrade, RN, Scylla Belle Arroyo, RN, Jackeline Herrera, RN, Nimisha Rajanish, RN, Katherine Vos, RN HOUSTON METHODIST WILLOWBROOK Marcia Malone-Tedder, RN, MN, CCRN, VA-BC, presented a poster at the Association of Vascular Access National Scientific Meeting, Sept. 7-10 in Washington, D.C. The poster was titled “CLABSI’s Last Rodeo,” and highlighted the accomplishments of the CLABSI Task Force at HMWB.

Stacey Burgess, RN, completed her certification for medical surgical nurse.

Katie Eckermann, RN, completed her residency.

Geena Arackal, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, gave a talk titled “Hypertensive Crisis” to the West Houston Chapter of American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) at Houston Methodist West Hospital.

Carlotta Woodard, MS, RN, ACNP-BP, gave a talk titled “Medical Terminology” to the Mended Hearts Support Group here at Houston Methodist West Hospital.

Elizabeth Gigliotti, BA, MS, RN, NP-C, ACNP-BC, presented “To See or Not to See, That is the Question: Family Presence During Resuscitation” at Texas Nurse Practitioner’s 26th Annual Conference in San Antonio.

She also was appointed for a two-year term to board member, Houston regional representative, for Texas nurse practitioners.

HOUSTON METHODIST ST. JOHN The following nurses have received degrees and certifications, Stephanie Moore, BSN, George Thomas-BSN, Corinne Garrison-CNOR, Alicia Hurley-Gomez, CNOR, and Alissa Lopez, CEN.

SHOWCASE YOUR HOSPITAL The accolades page is an opportunity for the nursing staff to highlight a few of the many exciting tributes our nurses receive. Please submit kudos to kagifford@houstonmethodist.org.