Carolinas Hospital System Recognizes Outstanding Nurses and Support Staff
Florence, SC (May 18, 2012) – As part of its celebration of National Nurses Week, Carolinas Hospital System recently held a Recognition Ceremony to honor the many contributions and achievements of the nursing staff.
The 2012 Nurse of the Year Award was presented to Shametra Swaringer, RN, who works in the hospital’s Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) and consistently promotes the nursing profession. A certified critical care nurse, she also serves in leadership positions as a charge nurse and preceptor to help train and support entry-level nurses. Physicians and other nurses have the utmost respect for Shametra’s vast knowledge and the exceptional care she renders to patients. They often call upon her expertise when caring for critically ill patients, and patients/family members consistently comment on the extraordinary, loving care she provides.
The Patient Choice Award solicited nominations from the community to recognize one devoted nurse. This year’s award was presented to Kay Kirby, RN. Kay works on the Seventh Floor and was described by one former patient as “filled with energy and always smiling.” She routinely makes sure that patients and family members feel comfortable and that all their needs are met. Highly regarded by her colleagues and physicians for her kind and compassionate approach to patient care, Kay is truly an asset to the hospital and embodies “the Carolinas Difference.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Shea said, “When we asked our former patients and their family members to help us select a nurse who had gone above and beyond in the call of duty, they responded with a variety of stories that truly touched our hearts. It confirms that our nurses leave a lasting impression in the care that they deliver.”
CHS Patient Choice Award Winner - Pictured (l-r): Marcus Simmons, Nurse Manager; Kay Kirby, RN, Patient Choice Award Winner and Costa Cockfield, CNO |
Nursing Services also presented the following awards:
- Dr. Brandie Reynolds – Physician Friend of Nursing
- Sandy Rauch, Fifth Floor – Nursing Support Champion
- Edwin Weill, Pharmacy – Nursing Leadership Champion
“All of our Nursing Services employees are unique and gifted in the various ways they serve our hospital. We are inspired by what they do each day and appreciate their unwavering dedication to earn the trust and loyalty of our patients,” said Costa Cockfield, Chief Nursing Officer. “We are blessed beyond measure to have them as part of our team.”