houston methodist nurse july/aug 2014

HOUSTON METHODIST NURSEJULY/AUGUST 2014A Magazine for Nurses

A day in the life of a

MAPP STUDENT

Transplant Games come to Houston

Houston Methodist expanding

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CREATING PATHS TO SUCCESSAs a leading academic hospital system committed to recruiting and retaining the

best and brightest nursing staff, Houston Methodist continuously seeks ways

to provide innovative opportunities to support our nurses in their ongoing

professional development.

Our commitment is to collaborate with our nurses in crafting their career paths across

the span of their professional lives. Every nurse’s career path is unique.

This summer Houston Methodist Hospital once again welcomed a class of MAPP

students and PCA externs. Houston Methodist St. John Hospital joined the Houston

Methodist Nurse Residency Program, welcoming its first group of graduate nurses.

Houston Methodist West Hospital has offered more opportunities to learn through

experience, and then testing that learning and its processes. For example, the stroke

staff completed LMS modules before attending a stroke “lab” with hands-on practice in

using the NIH stroke scale.

Houston Methodist Willowbrook recently staged its quarterly education fair, discussing

topics such as bedside reporting, restraints and sharps protection. HMWB also

welcomed 14 graduate nurses as they began their UHC residency.

Several continuing education opportunities are taking place in September and October

at Houston Methodist Hospital and are open to all nurses from across the system.

We encourage you all to participate. Visit houstonmethodist.org/nursingcontinuinged

for more details.

2014 EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERSRosario AlvaradoRebecca BowmanDonna EspositoSarah FlemingShuntá Fletcher Elizabeth Gigliotti

Beverly HughesBeverley LaMoth Carlette PattersonVerna Simmons-RobinsonJoy ShillerRobyn Washington

MAGAZINE EDITORKelli Gifford

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PHOTOGRAPHER Phyllis Gillentine

Do you have a

STORYthat you would like to post in the

HOUSTON METHODIST NURSE MAGAZINE?Please submit your articles or ideas to Kelli Gifford [email protected]

Liisa Ortegon, Chief Nursing Executive

Vice President of Operations–Houston Methodist Hospital

Jane DeStefano, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer–

Houston MethodistSan Jacinto Hospital

Sheila Fata, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer–

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

Vicki Brownewell, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer–

Houston MethodistWest Hospital

Sherri Tumbleson, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer–

Houston MethodistSt. John Hospital

Janet Leatherwood, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer–

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

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LEADERS IN NURSING 3

THE NIGHTINGALE COLLECTION Houston Methodist Hospital nurse Joy Shiller, RN, BSN, MS, CAPA, shares her passion for nursing through a unique exhibit along one of the hospital’s busiest walkways. Shiller, who has been a nurse for 44 years, collects nursing memorabilia and worked with the hospital to create an exhibit with a few of the pieces from her collection.

With donated help from the American Art Resources Center, Shiller and HMH created a display featuring Florence Nightingale memorabilia, antique nursing books, items from World War I nurses and tools used by nurses around the beginning of the 20th century. Shiller’s gift is “in gratitude for providing me a beautiful career during the past four decades. I cannot think of a better place to display my collection for others to enjoy.”

Shiller’s collection brings nursing history to life on the first floor of Dunn Tower, across from the Family Resource Center.

HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL NEWS

Neuroscience Nurse Residency Sept. 17, 18, 19 houstonmethodist.org/nursingcontinuinged

5th Annual Collaborative Organ and Transplant: Both Sides of the Coin Sept. 30 houstonmethodist.org /nursingcontinuinged

Stroke Wisdom for the Day Oct. 24 houstonmethodist.org/strokewisdom

5th Annual Delivering Excellence in Critical Care Conference Oct. 10 houstonmethodist.org /ICUNursingConference

For more information, contact Barbara L. Johnson at 713.441.0446 or [email protected].

SAVE THE DATES FOR CONTINUING NURSE EDUCATION

BROWN FOUNDATION OUTSTANDING NURSE AWARD Do you work with a Houston Methodist Hospital nurse who is outstanding and goes above and beyond? Nominate your colleague for this year’s Brown Foundation Inc. Outstanding Nurse Award. Anyone is eligible to nominate, and nominations must be submitted by Sept. 2. To download a nomination packet, visit the Nursing page on the Houston Methodist intranet. The winning nurse receives $15,000.

MEET THE AUTHORS A special issue of the Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, released June 2014, features articles written solely by nurses and others from Houston Methodist Hospital. Authors celebrated the completion of the special edition titled “Advancing Practice and Innovation Through Interprofessional Care Coordination and Transitions.” Because of its success, Houston Methodist has been asked to create a systemwide special edition for the journal, scheduled for September 2015.

“Congratulations to this great team on their impressive accomplishment,” said Dr. Isaac Montoya, associate editor of the journal.

To see the Journal of Nursing Education and Practice online, visit www.sciedu.ca/jnep

HOUSTON METHODIST SAN JACINTO NEWS

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Left: Tammy Morgan, RN on 2 West and Kathy Trevino, Nursing Manager on 2 West

Right: Marilyn Byrd, Manager of 2 East, and Julie Alvarado, RN on 2 East

DAISY AWARD WINNERThe July 2014 DAISY Award winner was Sheri

Mason, RN, on the 3 West surgical/pediatrics team. Sheri started at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital as a technician and has recently become a registered nurse. Trusting her instincts, even as a new nurse, Sheri felt her patient needed more intensive care. She advocated for her patient by asking questions and following through until the patient was transferred to the ICU for more intensive care. The patient’s family was overjoyed at the sharp and intuitive nursing care they received. Congratulations, Sheri!

DELIRIUM CHAMPION AWARD WINNERSHouston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital is a proud participant in the delirium grant. The delirium grant project focuses on preventing delirium in older adults. While it is a systemwide initiative, the nursing staff is a key component to the project’s success. Nurses Tammy Morgan and Julie Alvarado received Delirium Champion awards for being outstanding unit advocates and resources for delirium awareness.

RECOGNIZED BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORTHouston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital has once again been recognized as a U.S. News & World

Report’s Best Regional Hospital for 2014-15. Of the 107 hospitals in the Houston Metro area, Houston

Methodist San Jacinto ranks No. 10, and of the 600-plus hospitals in Texas, HMSJ ranks No. 20. In

addition, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital is recognized as a top ranking hospital in the Gulf

Coast area out of 131 hospitals in the Gulf Coast Region. Finally, HMSJ has six high performing

specialties (up from four last year): nephrology, neurosurgery and neurology, orthopedics, pulmonology,

geriatrics and urology.

L to R: Mike Smith, Community Resource Credit Union, corporate partner; Janie Destefano, CNO; and the 3 West Surgical/Pediatrics team of Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital.

THE DAISY AWARDHouston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND NEWS


Sienna Plantation ECC: HMSL has completed the first of several Fort Bend-area expansion projects announced last fall, as the Houston Methodist Sienna Plantation Emergency Care Center officially opened its doors July 15 in the epicenter of Highway 6’s rapidly developing stretch through Missouri City. The 9,600-square-foot facility located at 8200 Highway 6 bordering both the rapidly developing master-planned communities of Riverstone and Sienna Plantation is open 24 hours a day. The HMSL satellite includes 10 private treatment rooms and full-service X-ray, as well as CT and ultrasound capabilities. The center, which began construction late last October, is one of several new facilities currently or soon to be under construction. A six-story, $123 million patient tower is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2016 at the HMSL main campus, adding approximately 100 new beds to the hospital. Also coming to the HMSL main campus is a 60,000-square-foot facility for the hospital’s orthopedics and sports medicine program, relocating from its current location on Highway 6 and Brooks Street. A new 20,000 square-foot facility for the hospital’s heart center and cath labs is expected to open in 2015.

Burp Cloths: August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and every year from Aug. 1-7, more than 170 countries celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, which commemorates

the Innocenti Declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF for the “protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding” to ensure the best start in life for children around the world. The declaration sets goals to support exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months with continued breastfeeding up to two years or beyond. Donna Timmer, RNC, IBLCE, a lactation consultant at HMSL, wanted to do something special to promote World Breastfeeding Week. She developed

the idea of providing “decorated burp cloths” to the mothers during World Breastfeeding Week along with information about the importance of breastfeeding and a note thanking them for providing the best nutrition for their baby. Merchants donated diapers and material to use as basic burp cloths, and recruited members of the nursing staff from the Birthing Center, St. Laurence Crafting Group, New Territory Women’s Association, the First Colony Girl Scouts, and the Quilting Bee at B.J.’s Quilt Shop to design the burp cloths for HMSL patients. All of these groups working together were able to make more than 100 burp cloths.

PEOPLE: Pathway to Excellence® and Magnet®

In July, we closed out our nursing survey for consideration of our third redesignation for Pathway to Excellence®. In four to six weeks,

ANCC will notify the hospital whether it will once again have the honor of being redesignated for the third time.

HMSL continues its Journey to Magnet® designation with a documentation submission deadline of Feb. 1, 2015, and is in the process

of writing the document and educating all staff. In addition, a group of nursing leaders and staff will be attending the annual Magnet®

conference in Dallas in October.

QUALITY AND SAFETY: Recognition and AwardsHMSL has received the American Heart Association/

American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®

- Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. For the last

five years the stroke program at HMSL has been recognized for

its commitment and success in implementing a higher standard

of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment

according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.L to R: Kate Simpson, American Stroke Association; Dr. Eddie Patton, Jr., Neurologist; Dr. James Ling, medical director of the Stroke Program; Maria Socci, RN, Stroke Program manager; Dr. Larry Tran, neurologist; Dr. M. Faisal Khan, neurologist.

Sienna Plantation ECC during the Open House on July 10.

INNOVATION/GROWTH: Sienna Plantation ECC Opens; Burp Cloths Help Raise Breastfeeding Awareness

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FRIENDLY COMPETITION IN HCAHPSSometimes friendly competition can do great things to improve a team’s performance. The staff on 5W recently won a Cuisinart coffee maker after achieving the highest HCAHPS among competing med-surg floors. The overall HCAHPS score on 5W rose from 71.7, below threshold, to 80.5, a superior score. To achieve their victory, 5W implemented an hourly rounding audit tool, completed an HCAHPS skills lab, and opened their morning huddles with an HCAHPS topic.

STROKE REDESIGNATIONHouston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital was awarded redesignation as a Level II Stroke Facility in August. This designation recognizes the high quality of care offered to all stroke patients at Willowbrook. Thank you to all involved in the Willowbrook stroke program and the care of stroke victims on our campus.

ESSENCE OF EXCELLENCE POSTER COMPETITIONThe Houston Methodist Willowbrook Magnet Champions sponsored the 3rd Annual Essence of Excellence poster competition July 31 and Aug. 1. Posters from across the nursing organization were entered, covering a range of diverse topics, from craniotomy care in PACU to CAUTI prevention. First place was awarded to Heather Bowen, BSN, CMSRN, for her poster on hemolyzed specimens in the ED. Bowen will receive sponsored admission to the 2014 Evidence Based Practice Symposium held at the Houston Methodist Research Institute in September, and the second and third place winners’ posters will be sent off to be professionally reproduced.

NURSE REPRESENTS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCES Cristina Montalban-Dimafiles, RN,CVRN-BC, a charge nurse for CVCU/SICU at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, has been actively representing the hospital in multiple conferences. At the Philippine Nurses Association of America South Central Regional Conference in Palm Harbor, Fla., she represented as the current president of the Philippine Nurses Association of Metro Houston North and was also selected as a conference speaker during the Leadership Institute. She also attended the National Convention of the Philippine Nurses Association of America at Caesar’s Palace Hotel, presenting her poster on the “Use of the VAP Bundle: ICU Captures Zero VAP Rate.”

HOUSTON METHODIST WILLOWBROOK NEWS

The hospital awarded its second DAISY Award in July to NICU nurse Michelle Lauterbach, BSN, RN. Michelle was nominated for the award by a patient who described Michelle’s care and dedication to teaching her family to help prepare them to care for their twins. “I can’t explain in just one instance how great Nurse Michelle is,” the patient wrote. “We were blown away with her professionalism, her contagious upbeat attitude, her encouragement, and most of all her patience.”

THE DAISY AWARDHouston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital


FLOAT POOL NURSES HIREDHouston Methodist West Hospital has hired its first three float pool nurses. The first float pool nurse began Aug. 10. The float pool nurses will be assigned to primarily med/surgical, ICU and the ER to meet staffing needs. During orientation, the float pool nursing staff will have shifts on each of the different units. West’s goal is five float nurses for day shift and five float nurses for night shift.

RN III PROMOTIONSPlease join Houston Methodist West Hospital in celebrating our newest round of RN III’s Dexter Villanueva, MaHaydee Villanueva, Ekenem Onyechefuna, Joey Pickrel, Brandy Perez and Karen Matthey.

HOUSTON METHODIST WEST NEWS

SAVE THE DATEThe Shared Governance, Practice, and Research Council Research Fair is Sept. 17 in the Sky Plaza. Come and learn about the research projects at Houston Methodist West Hospital as well as participate in a Q&A session, drawings, and snacks and beverages.

FITNESS CENTER OPENSThe Fitness Center is now open to all Houston Methodist employees, volunteers and medical staff. Located in MOB 2 on the second floor, the center is open 24/7. Equipment includes treadmills, elliptical, AMT (adaptive motion transfer), stationary bicycles, functional trainer, free weights and many other machines. Workout classes are scheduled to begin mid-August.

Please contact Wellness Coordinator Becky Laird at [email protected] with any questions.

HOUSTON METHODIST ST. JOHN NEWS

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ST. JOHN JOINS NURSE RESIDENCY PROGRAMHouston Methodist St. John Hospital is now a part of the Houston Methodist nurse residency program. Our six new graduate registered nurses are Janet Guel, Heidi Carroll,

Bryan Starkey, Diana Morales, Sally Litjen and

Kelli Donahoo.

The nurse residency lasts approximately one year, in which a combination of clinical orientation and classroom theory and practice review continues to develop the new graduate nurse’s knowledge base and skills set. Please welcome our new grads!

Bryan Starkey, RN, 4 Medical, a CNA at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital since 2012, has been selected as one of our new nurse residency program participants.

Congratulations, Bryan!

bottom row – Janet Guel, Heidi Carroll, Bryan Starkeytop row – Diana Morales, Sally Litjen, Kelli Donahoo

Congratulations to George Thomas, RN, in the Emergency Department, for receiving the second DAISY Award! Your St. John family is proud of your success and thankful for your commitment to the care of our patients.

THE DAISY AWARDHouston Methodist St. John Hospital

CYCLE IV CHEST PAIN ACCREDITATION ACHIEVED Houston Methodist St. John Hospital has achieved Cycle IV Chest Pain Accreditation — the highest, current level of accreditation available from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. The continued commitment and collaboration by EMS, ED physicians and staff, cardiac cath lab professionals and nursing yields consistent door-to-balloon times below the 90-minute national average. The team is most proud of recent STEMI response times of less than 50 minutes and is focused on setting these types of response times as the standard for Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.


Challenges and opportunities of nurse education at Houston Methodist West Hospital

Joey Pickrel and Cindy Ball

Maureen Teoh

Shortly after Houston Methodist West Hospital opened its doors in December 2010, the hospital was orienting its first group of graduate nurse residents.

“Getting our nurse education program started early was a strategic decision,” says Lynn Maguire, manager of education. “In the beginning, we focused on candidates where nursing was a second career.”

The hospital hired approximately 10 new graduate nurses in January 2011 and partnered with Houston Methodist Hospital to help train and precept the GNs in an established

clinical setting. Today HMW continues to partner with HMH, especially in the perioperative areas, to ensure new nurses are getting the exposure necessary to provide excellent patient care.

HMW’s new graduate orientation lasts approximately 12 weeks and can vary by unit needs. The residency program continues for a graduate’s entire first year, offering professional support and providing tools to manage situations that arise during the first year of being a nurse. The program is a safe venue to discuss challenges, highlight accomplishments and stay connected with new graduates located throughout the hospital.

Nearly four years later, the HMW preceptor program has grown substantially. Each unit has eight to 10 preceptors. The hospital also created an eight-hour preceptor class offered quarterly. The preceptor class provides tips and tools to help manage the expectation of training another nurse to Houston Methodist standards. Now, HMW is involved in systemizing the preceptor program at all the other Houston Methodist entities.

“Our best preceptors are those who are flexible and can easily balance the various demands of the nursing unit as well as their orientee,” says Maguire.

More than ever, HMW needs these outstanding preceptors. “Our biggest challenge has been managing the volume of new hires and orientees. There are days when every nurse on a unit has a new hire,” Maguire adds.

Houston Methodist West Hospital’s patient volume has grown in staggering proportions, and the Nursing Education Department is excitedly recruiting for more preceptors.

‘Precepting reminds me what it means to be a nurse’Some may think precepting is additional work and stress, but not to Maureen Teoh, a preceptor for the last 11 years currently on 6 West, a medical/surgical unit at Houston Methodist West Hospital.

“Precepting reminds me what it means to be a nurse again. Seeing nursing through a graduate nurse’s fresh eyes and their enthusiasm and energy reminds me what I love about nursing and why I am here,” says Teoh.

Teoh has been a nurse for more than 20 years, precepting more than 20 new hires including experienced nurses and graduate nurses. She keeps in touch with as many of her past preceptees calling them “her children.”

Teoh says the greatest reward in precepting is giving nurses “the confidence to become the great nurse they are destined to be.” A favorite story of hers occurred at HMW about a year ago. Teoh was precepting a graduate nurse who was very shy when speaking with patients. Halfway into her new graduate’s orientation, Teoh was outside the patient’s room listening to her graduate nurse interact with a patient. Suddenly Teoh heard the nurse and the patient erupt in laughter. “It was then I knew that this nurse finally had the confidence to be the nurse I knew she was. I still get chills telling this story.”

Maureen says the biggest challenge of precepting is ensuring that the new graduates have everything they need to be successful.

“I love teaching, and orienting a new graduate is very involved. The units are busier now and with the time constraints, I am constantly making sure I am teaching what they need to be a great nurse after orientation.”

But Teoh insists it also goes the other way. “The new graduates often teach me as much as I teach them.”

By Sarah Fleming Houston Methodist West Hospital


She would spend the 10-minute walk reflecting on her day and how she was slowly transforming from student to nurse.

“All I can think about is how being a MAPP student has proved to me once again that I can do this,” she says.

The Methodist Advancement into Professional Practice (MAPP) program is a unique program that allows baccalaureate nursing students to practice in a clinical setting to enhance their skills and knowledge base. More than 250 students nationwide apply for fewer than 20 positions each year. There is an intensive screening process, which includes two phone interviews, the second of which is with a panel of three to six educators.

With careful thought and consideration, and a list of criteria requirements, students are chosen and offered a chance to participate. Students are then united with their top unit choices. The academic program team works vigorously to create the best learning opportunities and experience available to the students while practicing at Houston Methodist Hospital, which many times can lead to the students being hired after graduation.

Nowaczyk, 22, from Purdue University, says she always knew she wanted to be in the medical field, but was not sure what path was right for her.

“All throughout high school, I enjoyed biology and anatomy, but what I really excelled in was English,” Nowaczyk says. “After doing some research, I realized nursing was the perfect outlet for me to channel my inner scientist and communicate with people on a day-to-day basis. I get the best of both worlds — I get to make a real impact on the lives of others and see that impact because of how much time I get to spend with my patients.”

Nowaczyk was one of 19 students chosen this summer and was assigned to the MICU.

“During my clinical rotations I was treated as exactly what I am, a student. But here, my preceptor proudly introduces me to the patients and explains that I will be providing care for them today. I am transformed into her co-worker, her friend and her equal.”

By Kelli Gifford, Magazine EditorFROM STUDENT TO NURSE

All summer, MAPP student Meg Nowaczyk walked wearily back to her hotel room after spending 12 hours on the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Houston Methodist Hospital.

MAPP Program Enhances Skills for Select College Students

“I know that when I return to school in the fall, I will be more than prepared to finish my senior year.” – Meg Nowaczyk


By Kelli Gifford, Magazine Editor

MAPP students work three 12-hour days as Houston Methodist Hospital employees. They all live together at the Wyndham Hotel-Medical Center, forming strong relationships along the way.

“(My roommate and I) walk from the hotel with Houston Methodist badges worn proudly around our necks and with smiles on our faces, so excited for this opportunity,” Nowaczyk says.

Once they enter the doors of the hospital, they are nurses.

Nowaczyk arrives at the MICU, goes over the reports from the night shift with her preceptor, then gets into the routine of the day. But not all days are routine.

“I was getting caught up on charting, and it happened; code blue,” Nowaczyk says. “From the moment the ominous overhead tone sounded until the end of the code, I experienced a wide spectrum of emotions in mere minutes. First, the adrenaline rush that comes with doing a chest compression. Then, respect and pride as I glanced around the room and saw the dedication and teamwork my unit displayed. And finally relief as we successfully palpated a pulse once again.”

Soon after, respiratory arrives to extubate one of her patients.

“For whatever reason, extubation is one of the moments I most eagerly anticipate on our floor,” Nowaczyk says. “I always think, if I can only hear their voice, I can finally fill in the missing pieces and sincerely know their real preferences, their sense of humor and their feelings from their perspective. It gives me peace that I can physically see them improving, which is even more reason to continue loving what I do. When the ET tube finally comes out, and my patient barely manages to whisper, ‘Hi,’ — just one syllable and I know that day was worth it.”

After having watched the sun rise then set, she reviews the events of the day and mentally prepares herself for her next shift.

“I know that when I return to school in the fall, I will be more than prepared to finish my senior year.”


Transition to Employee Seamless for Former MAPP Student

Melanie Breitkreuz was studying nursing at UTHealth when she heard about the Houston Methodist Hospital MAPP program and was excited to apply. Breitkreuz had the chance to be part of the MAPP program’s year-round option for Houston-area nursing students allowing them to work two 12-hour shifts a month while still attending school.

The application process included an online application, reference letters, a phone interview and finally, a face-to-face interview. Breitkreuz was chosen from among the more than 250 applicants and assigned to the women’s health unit on Dunn 6 West in January 2012.

“I chose women’s health because it is the most exciting and nerve-racking time in a woman’s life,” Breitkreuz said. “The Dunn 6 culture is truly one of caring and education.”

Participation in the MAPP program allowed Breitkreuz to develop close relationships with her preceptors and staff. She felt the staff was as interested in teaching as she was in learning. The program prepares new nurses to become familiar with the patient care areas, the staff, physicians, management and protocols. It also provides more time for students to focus on basic nursing skills. The extra practice time devoted to learning new skills was invaluable as Breitkreuz joined Dunn 6 West as a full-time RN in November 2012.

“Being a part of the MAPP program helped me to feel confident in my skills and afforded me a smooth transition into my role as an RN,” Breitkreuz said. “I feel the experiences I gained were invaluable in helping me excel in my nursing practice and quickly become a successful member of the care team on my unit.”

Pamela Johnson, RNC, of Labor and Delivery on Dunn 6 West, said she has loved working with the MAPP students and “welcomed them into our culture.”

“The time spent training them as they join us full time is much more productive because of the comfort level they have achieved over the months spent on our unit,” Johnson said. “The transition to an independent role, which they must now assume, is much more seamless than someone starting from scratch.

“We love all our nurses, new and experienced alike. We all believe it is a pleasure working with such bright, intelligent and driven young nurses.”

2014 Summer MAPP students


“Worried, sad, excited, proud, honored and guilty are the range of emotions I experienced at the Transplant Games,” said Andrea “Andi” Sonpon, liver recipient and first-time participant in the Transplant Games of America.

Sonpon was one of more than 300 on Team Texas who participated in the 2014 Donate Transplant Games July 11-15 in Houston. The Transplant

Games of America is a multisport festival event for individuals who have undergone life-saving or enhancing transplant surgeries. Competition events are open to living donors, organ transplant recipients, bone marrow recipients, and corneal and tissue transplant recipients.

“At first it was funny how we all introduced ourselves. ‘Hi, I’m Andi Sonpon. I’m a liver, October 2013,’” she says.

While the games are a competition, they also bring transplant donors and recipients together. For many like Sonpon, the overwhelming emotion and camaraderie of the games far outweighed the competition.

“It was while I was sitting in the hospital waiting for the words ‘it’s a match’ that I reviewed my life,” Sonpon says. “I talked with everyone I needed to and I told/asked God that I would be OK if I didn’t make it but if I could I wanted to dance one more time.”

And dance she did. Sonpon walked away with two gold medals in her ballroom dancing event and plans to go to the 2016 games in Cleveland to defend her medals and participate in several other events.

For Richard Lerma, the value of a deep breath was something he never took for granted while battling lung disease.

“I had my double lung transplant on July 30, 2010. My surgery and recovery went pretty fast and smoothly, and I even headed back to finish school not too long after,” Lerma says. “Some time went by before I slowly started to exercise outside. First walking, then jogging, and when I felt good enough, I would run. Keep in mind, jogging was something I was never able to do for the past 10-plus years due to a preexisting condition before the transplant. Walking started to become a trouble as well.”

Lerma participated in the 5K race, shot put, discus, 200- and 400-meter runs. The weeklong events started with the community 5K race on Saturday morning, and he prepared himself both physically and mentally for the run.

“As I got closer to the finish line I got chills throughout my body and slightly teary-eyed. I think it was because I knew that this was something that my physical human body has been long awaited for by my mind and soul.”

That Monday brought a hot Houston day and all the track and field events at Rice University. “I knew I did better on the 200-meter race than I did my previous races, I just wasn’t sure how well,” Lerma said. “When they announced my name and awarded me a silver medal, I knew then that all my hard work and preparation had paid off. It was an awesome feeling of accomplishment and pride to know that I had done something that I was never capable of doing before transplant.”

Paying tribute to living and deceased donors as well as donor families is a central focus of the games. Sunday included the donor tribute ceremony at the Wortham Center. One of the most emotional and moving events of the games, it is the place to honor the selfless act of giving life to another human being.

A quilt pinning ceremony took place where donor family members made a quilt square that depicted the life of the donor whom they loved. They stood in front of the crowd and told a little

TRANSPLANT GAMES OF AMERICA Donors, recipients compete By Donna Esposito, Senior Transplant Coordinator

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital J.C. Walter, Jr. Transplant Center

“It was while I was sitting in the hospital waiting for the words ‘it’s a match’ that I reviewed my life. I talked with everyone I needed to and I told/asked God that I would be OK if I didn’t make it but if I could I wanted to dance one more time.” – Andi Sonpon


HMH nurses participate in yearlong program to become transplant coordinators

Health care institutions historically have faced the challenges associated with comprehensive training and retention of qualified nurses. Expert training combined with dedication and compassion form the foundation for the type of gold-standard quality of patient care to which our institution subscribes.

Houston Methodist Hospital’s transplant program is unique in its comprehensive range of transplant services. Care is provided throughout the continuum of transplantation, and therefore provides unique learning opportunities for nurses with interests in the solid-organ transplant process.

Registered nurses Nisha Abraham, Christina Havlicek and Christina Mendoza participated in a one-year transition program, which they completed July 18, and are now assigned to transplant coordinator roles. During the course of their studies, these transition nurses had exposure to and interaction with experts in the fields of solid-organ transplant management, transplant surgery, transplant pharmacy and transplant infectious disease for the purpose of expanding their knowledge base in a clinically relevant manner. They concluded the program with the presentation of their research project, “BMI Clinic: Is Getting Patients to Transplant Enough?”

The program was initiated in August 2013 as a hands-on interactive experience to include core nursing skills and designed to educate registered nurses regarding all aspects of solid-organ transplant care. The teaching curriculum was designed to focus on patient assessment, critical thinking in terms of positive clinical outcomes, coordination of interprofessional teams and resources, and safety in the transplant clinical environment.

Clinical activities involved orientation to transplant patient care in surgical and medical intensive care units and on transplant floors, participation in transplant rounds and multiple outpatient clinics addressing thoracic and abdominal solid-organ transplantation. They also worked with patients on ventricular assist devices, observed the evaluation of the post-transplant surveillance procedures, and witnessed actual solid-organ transplant surgeries.

Havlicek also has been selected to present her poster presentation, “Von Hippel-Lindau Disease: An Overview and Case Study,” at the 2014 North American Transplant Coordinators Organization annual meeting in San Antonio.

Houston Methodist Hospital proudly welcomes these young women as part of its outstanding team of professionals within the Center of Excellence.

bit about their loved one. In many cases quilt squares were made by the recipient in appreciation for their gift of life. The squares are all being sewn together and the quilts will be on display at all games in the future to honor the donors.

“It was an experience I will never ever forget and always treasure,” says Michael Burns, heart transplant recipient and first-time participant. Burns, who was transplanted at Houston Methodist Hospital in 2012, wasn’t sure what to expect.

“It was a very emotional ride and a humbling experience. I wept as donor families marched in during the opening ceremonies. I don’t know if my donor’s family was present, but because of them, I have a new heart and a renewed life with my family. God bless all those donors and donor families now and in the future for the gift of life,” he says.

For more information on how to become involved with Team Texas and participate in the 2016 games in Cleveland, visit teamtexastransplant.com. To register to be a donor, visit donatelifetexas.org.

By Larry Johnson, RN, CCTCNurse Education Specialist, Transplant Administration


For eight years, Houston Methodist Hospital has partnered with Houston’s Communities in Schools program to foster the growth of young students interested in the nursing profession. Through the PCA summer externship program, several students have the opportunity to work at Houston Methodist Hospital in a nurse’s aide role and gain invaluable exposure to a professional work environment and various health care professions. The PCA externship also empowers participants to complete a nursing assistant certification course.

Participants are selected and placed on various medical surgical units in the hospital. This year a grant allowed the hospital to triple the number of students accepted.

The Academic Outreach team guides each student through the externship. Students are given opportunities to take advantage of observation experiences in procedural areas. The students are given one-on-one coaching, advice, support and mentoring, and they are able to reflect on their future to make sound career choices. By the end of the program each student is attending to patients and their familiy’s basic needs and performing as an intricate part of the health care team.

Radial artery accessed cardiac catheterizations is not a new approach but has recently gained popularity after studies indicated lower complication rates, especially in women. Historically, the femoral artery has been the primary site used to gain access for heart catheterization. Access through the radial artery of the wrist instead of the femoral artery in the groin has a multitude of benefits:• Faster recovery• Safer than the femoral approach• Less bleeding• Fewer vascular complications • Comparatively more comfortable• Easier visualization of bleeding• Immediate mobilityCountries outside of the United States use radial artery catheterization as a standard of care, performing 60-80 percent of heart catheterizations with the radial approach. The procedure has been adopted more recently in the United States and is used in approximately 20 percent of cases. This procedure is used throughout Houston Methodist.In 2008, cardiologist Dr. Rashid Siddiqi introduced the radial approach at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital. Today 80 percent of interventional cardiologists are performing the radial approach including interventional cardiologists Drs.

Gholamreza Khoshnevis , Rashid Siddiqi, Shehzad Sami and Edward Leahey. Since the 2013 these physicians have performed more than 450 procedures at HMSJ. The nurse’s job during and after a heart catheterization includes many functions:• Providing moderate sedation• Patient support• Hemodynamic monitoring• Physician support• Recovery monitoring• Pain management• Radial occlusion prevention and site access maintenance• Postcare teachingHMSJ’s cath lab has adapted to radial artery catheterization by remodeling the recovery area and including recliners for patients to use. Using the femoral approach requires patients to remain on their back for two to six hours after the procedure while the radial approach allows patients to be immediately mobile.

Grant allows PCA extern program to triple numbers

“At the end of the day, being a PCA is a challenging and rigorous job, but with self-determination and hard work, success will come,” said extern Marleni Bonilla.

For additional information, please contact:Nina Hawthorne, nursing eductator, Center for Professional [email protected]

By Rebecca Bowman Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

Innovative approach to heart catheterization


For additional information, please contact:Heather Chung, director of nursing, Jones [email protected]

Is Houston Methodist implementing any type of program?Yes, Houston Methodist has begun a program to identify patients with primary and secondary psychiatric symptoms who may be at a high risk for a 30-day readmission or ED visit.

How will it work?We use a two-phase program. Phase I takes place while the patients are still in the hospital. In the EDs, acute care and psychiatric units, RNs screen patients with the Discharge Decision Support System (D2S2) tool. Phase II is post-discharge work, following up after the patient’s discharge.

What is D2S2?D2S2 is a series of questions that evaluate cognitive status, comorbidities, symptoms and support. It identifies patients who are at high risk for a 30-day return to the hospital and is a part of MethOD. D2S2 is the first step because it generates a message to the team social workers to prepare patients and their families for discharge. The social workers collaborate with a clinical pharmacist to help patients understand any medication regimen. The social workers also get patient consent for the post-discharge program.

Why is consent required?Phase II involves outside agencies, so consent is necessary to maintain privacy. The postdischarge program consists of phone calls from an outside agency and at least one home visit by an aide. Our goal is to provide adequate follow-up and community resources to patients after they’ve left us.

What agency will make these phone calls to the patient?EMMI Solutions offers a month-long series of calls after patients are home. An automated system asks questions about mood, medical symptoms, compliance with taking current medications and if patients have made follow-up appointments. Medical team members then call patients who have been “red-flagged” by as a result of these calls. The team evaluates if a situation is urgent or merely a matter of encouraging a patient to fill a prescription.

Tell us about the home visit.Every patient who agrees will have at least one visit from a Traditions home health aide. We call them bridge aides because they are a link from the hospital to the patient’s residence. These aides perform a number of skills, including taking blood pressure and assisting patients to complete screening tools for cognitive status and self-care. They also conduct medication reconciliation with the patient and the Nurse Practitioner. They have been trained to look for “triggers” or signs of urgent issues. Examples here might include a patient taking medications or home remedies that the hospital staff was unaware of, or an infected incision. For each visit, the bridge aide provides a telemedicine consult with a DSRIP nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner can “see” the patient, look at any medications he or she is taking, and evaluate any problems.

Every new admission will receive all of this?No. Every patient who scores as high risk on the D2S2 will be coached. Not every patient wants the full program.

Is this project available across the system?The program is currently approved for three hospitals. It was initiated June 16 at Houston Methodist Hospital then expanded to Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, and will launch at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital Sept. 16.

How was this program created?CMS awarded this five-year grant to Houston Methodist in 2011, following a community needs assessment. At the inception, the program was funded through the leadership of Carolyn Belk. vice president of government relations, and Peyton Elliot, vice president of operations. Heather Chung, RN, MSN, PHD, NE-BC, director of the behavioral health transition of care program, joined the team in 2013 and developed the program for implementation at the three hospitals.

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Q&A: THE DSRIP 1115 WAIVER PROJECTImproving the health care status of Texans

Texas is among the states using the Delivery System Reform Incentive Pool (DSRIP) to meet the challenge of health care reform. Under DSRIP’s Section 1115 waiver, the state can reward providers for meeting specific quality improvement goals. Hospitals are compensated by the state for planning and implementing programs that enhance access, quality and the overall health of patients.


Nursing’s advancement of science, professional sustainability and societal relevance are all embedded in the generation of new knowledge. Nursing research generates a specialized scientific knowledge base keeping clinical practices and interventions current, efficient and effective (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2011).

To convert this newfound nursing research into safe evidence-based practice, nurses must be critical consumers of research and must possess the skills to critically appraise and determine the merit and readiness of research evidence (Roxburgh, 2006). To deliver the highest quality care, nurses are expected to stay abreast of new information (Institute of Medicine Committee on Quality of Health Care in America, 2001).

Conducting a literature search is the best way to stay updated on new information. The purpose of a literature review is to gain a broad understanding of the information that is available related to a specific topic or problem. In terms of research (new knowledge), a literature review allows the investigator to see how a particular research question “fits” into what is known about the topic and most important, identifies knowledge gaps where further research is needed.

When conducting an EBP project, a thorough literature review will identify available evidence to decide if a practice change is warranted (Dearholt & Dang, 2012). However, searching for relevant literature related to a particular topic is often challenging for many nurse clinicians. When is the last time you heard your colleagues comment “I am going to search the literature”? Not recently, most likely.

Developing information literacy skills requires clinicians to have knowledge of nursing literature (i.e., important journals in a particular field of nursing) and the ability to both locate and retrieve the information (Dearholt & Dang, 2012). A plethora of available nursing literature is continuously evolving. Studies show that when nurses improve their information literacy skills they develop a greater appreciation and application of research and evidence-based practice (Shorten & Crookes, 2001).

Shortening the gap between research and evidence-based practice requires the accessibility and availability of adequate and various literature resources. These can range from the weakest level of evidence, such as the opinions and reports of expert committees, to the most reliable systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (Hugel, 2014) (Figure 1). Nonetheless, the lack of time due to the nurses’ clinical responsibilities and activities is a barrier that impedes nursing research and evidence-based practice (Morris-Docker et al., 2004). However, nurses now have an increased accessibility to the Internet. In turn, they have the opportunity to access various resources through the scientific journals on the Web from their homes and public places (Morris-Docker et al., 2004).

For nursing practice to be patient-centered, safe and modernized, the research used to implement evidence-based practice must be current. Consequently the dissemination of new research is vital. Yet, unlike the common perception, negative results are also key findings in research that need to be published alongside the positive findings that nursing research delivers (Dearholt & Dang, 2012 and Melnyk; Fineout-Overholt, 2011). Communicating these findings reduces the duplication of work and minimizes the wastage of resources such as funding and time. Also, as science constantly evolves and older research begins to expire, it is essential to increase the volume of knowledge and to ensure that nursing research resource base is sufficient.

BIBLIOGRAPHYDearholt, S., & Dang, D. (Eds.). (2012). Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-based Practice: Models and Guidelines. Sigma Theta Tau.Hugel Kim. The Journey of Research - Levels of Evidence. Retrieved on August 5, 2014 from capho.org/blog/journey-research-levels-evidenceMelnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (Eds.). (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Morris‐Docker, S. B., Tod, A., Harrison, J. M., Wolstenholme, D., & Black, R. (2004). Nurses’ use of the Internet in clinical ward settings. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 48(2), 157-166.Roxburgh, M. (2006). An exploration of factors which constrain nurses from research participation. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 15(5), 535-545. Shorten, A., & Crookes, P. A. (2001). Developing information literacy: a key to evidence‐based nursing. International nursing review, 48(2), 86-92.

NURSING LITERATURE SEARCH: Is there a sufficient research resource base? By Soha Dargham, MPH, Houston Methodist Hospital

Photo Source: Hugel, 2014

Figure 1: Quality hierarchy for rating scientific evidence-based practice on study’s design

Online registration is open for our 2014 EBP Symposium: Putting the Pieces together. For further information and registration please visit: houstonmethodist.org/evidence-based-practice-symposium

Research Resources• EBSCO Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: eds.b.ebscohost.com• PubMed: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov• SCOPUS: scopus.com

While preparing for 2015 Magnet redesignation, Houston Methodist Hospital is putting a greater focus on nurses’ professional development, specifically promoting competency and preparing staff nurse leaders to implement patient and family centered care.

This type of care recognizes that patients and families are best served when they are respected for their individual differences, are informed about their care, and are encouraged to participate at the level they choose. Clinical nurses utilize their knowledge and expertise to deliver care and assume a leadership role in coordinating care delivered by the team.

A professional practice model is a visual description of nursing practice that provides a framework designed to advance nursing’s mission of providing leadership and excellence in practice, education and research to the patient, family and community while achieving the highest levels of outcomes. At the model’s core, patient and family centered care promotes continuous, consistent, efficient and accountable care by nurses and the interprofessional team.

A continued innovation of knowledge of Magnet terminology and information is provided to the HMH staff through a variety of avenues: a “Magnet in Motion” newsletter and Magnet champions providing information to hospital units and hospitalwide educational inservices. One initiative is the active rollout of providing a module on the enhanced professional practice model and RN standards of nursing practice in MARS that all nurses can review and complete by Aug. 31.


By the Numbers

MAGNET® FOCUS ON EDUCATION

SharedGovernance

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE, RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONEVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

FOUNDATION OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICEFOUNDATION OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

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Service andQuality

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2017When The Woodlands hospital and new Houston Methodist Hospital inpatient tower are scheduled to be completed

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPANDING

Houston Methodist has announced plans to build a new community hospital in The Woodlands and is currently working on a new HMH inpatient tower.

Number of beds in new hospital to be built in The Woodlands

Number of square feet in The Woodlands hospital

Number of beds in new north campus inpatient tower at Houston Methodist Hospital

Cost for building The Woodlands campus

Cost of new HMH inpatient tower

Amount Houston Methodist is investing into expanding and replacing facilities throughout the Houston area


I CARE IN ACTIONAshlee Sparks, RN, Houston Methodist West Hospital

When a fellow nurse overheard Ashlee Sparks telling a story about how a patient in the Houston Methodist West Hospital’s Emergency Department was concerned about who would care for her dog, he thought Sparks was talking about a family member.

“I did not know she was talking about a patient until the story was over … because of how compassionately she told it,” the coworker said. This colleague went on to nominate Sparks for an I CARE Award, which she won for Spring 2014.

Sparks was helping out with orthopedic cases in the OR when an older woman came in with a broken ankle. They started talking and the woman, who was a former nurse, described how she had fallen and called EMS. She expected to come home that afternoon. When she realized she was having surgery, she was overcome with worry about her dog, a 9-year-old Westie, who was locked in the bathroom at home. She said

she had no family and no way to reach her neighbors.

“I told (the patient) to get through the surgery and I would check on her before I left,” Sparks said. “Afterward I asked if she wanted me to go over to her house, and she said, ‘Would you please?’”

Sparks stopped by a neighbor’s house first to let them know what happened, then went to the patient’s home. She let the dog out, fed and played with it. She also noted a cold front coming and turned on the heat in the house. Sparks went back to the hospital where she gave the patient her neighbors’ contact information, and they kept the dog the rest of the time she was in the hospital.

“I ran into that patient a month or so ago, and she was so thankful,” Sparks said. “At the time I didn’t think anything of it, actually. It’s just what I do.”

Career coaching helps nurse go from bedside to nursing education By Shuntá Fletcher, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CVRN-BC

CAREER COACH’S CORNER

Nina Hawthorne began seeing a career coach in 2007 when she was an RN II at Houston Methodist Hospital. She had worked three years as a bedside nurse and was ready for a change. After her first coaching session she enrolled in graduate school to pursue becoming a family nurse practitioner.

During the program she remained in close contact with her coach, Shuntá Bilbo-Fletcher, who provided encouragement along the way. After graduating in 2009, Nina decided to talk with her coach about

certification. She was encouraged to study and “go for it” because her coach believed in her and her goals.

Nina received her certification in 2012, but was promoted to RN IV shortly after so she stayed on unit, where she worked on Magnet® and became Magnet Champion. But she mentioned to Fletcher how much she enjoyed teaching and still wanted to become an educator. Today Nina is a nurse education specialist for HMH’s Center for Professional Excellence.

“My career coach continues to provide awesome inspiration and support for me to reach even higher goals,” Nina said.

“My career coach continues to provide awesome inspiration and support for me to reach even higher goals.” – Nina Hawthorne

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 [email protected].

Nina Hawthorne, RN

Ashlee Sparks, RN


Nurses Week at Houston Methodist

Houston Methodist San Jacinto HospitalOutstanding Graduate Nurse ........Krystal Mallet, RNOutstanding Preceptor ...................Dawn Sims, RNOutstanding Nurse Clinician ........Van Mariano, RNNursing Innovation ........................Kay Noster, RNNursing Leadership ........................Marilyn Bird, RN, ManagerNursing Champion .........................Kimberly Mitchell, Unit Coordinator

2014 NURSING AWARD WINNERS

Correction from last issue:New photo of winners.

Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

Good Samaritan Foundation honors 28 Houston Methodist nurses

Houston Methodist Hospital would like to recognize our nurses who were nominated this year for the

Good Samaritan Foundation’s Excellence in Nursing Awards!

Houston Methodist HospitalSarah CordraySarah CorsenJennifer Thuha NquyenSusan PulsJulie ReyesYu Hong “Holly” ShuiKristin Thorp

Houston Methodist Sugar Land HospitalChung-Win FeyYves SenatWanda ButaudAmy ChengDaisy Del RosarioCrystal HallAnn MaguireReena TharakanPhilomena ValsonRegina Woode

Houston Methodist West HospitalAisha OlaleyeGretchen Sump-Mills Houston Methodist Willowbrook HospitalCristina Montalban-DimafilesInno GatchalianCarol LaMonica-WayMarcia Malone-Tedder

David Kimball (Gold Award Winner)Laura ConnellyMona CockerhamDelia BellRaul Dimafiles

2014 Good Samaritan Excellence in Nursing Awards recipients:

David Kimball

For his golden touch with patients, David Kimball, RN, BSN, of the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Emergency Department, has earned a Gold Medal Excellence in Nursing Award from the Good Samaritan Foundation. The organization also honored 27 other nurses from Houston Methodist; they will be recognized with other award winners from the Houston area at the Excellence in Nursing Awards luncheon on Sept. 3 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.

Kimball was nominated for his passion for nursing and serving others. “David’s life is genuinely devoted to compassion and caring, educating, mentoring and helping others live better lives,” reads the official nomination. “He is an inspiration to all who meet him and to those fortunate enough to have an ongoing relationship with him.”

As an ED charge nurse, Kimball encounters with patients who are scared, nervous and in pain. The coworker who nominated Kimball has seen patients and their families “immediately fall in love with him” after meeting and talking with Kimball.

“It seems as if David has a magic touch that puts others at ease, calming and reassuring them; however, it really is not magic — it is his genuine compassion and kind heart that eases their concerns,” said his nominator.

Kimball is also is an adjunct clinical faculty member with Lone Star Community College School of Nursing and is a clinical instructor and didactic instructor with The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.


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.

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 [email protected].

HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL The 2013 nursing annual report titled “Shaping the Future of Nursing Today,” won the Industry Platinum Award in the LACP 2013 Vision Awards. This is the largest annual report competition in the world, and only 12 percent of entries received recognition. The report also received the Worldwide Top 100 ranking (#55), Most Improved (Gold), Top 80 Annual Reports in the Americas Region (#18), and the Top 50 American Annual Reports of 2013. Way to go!

Dunn 9 West was awarded Delirium Compliance Unit of the Month.

Jones 8 won Delirium Compliance/Most Improved Unit after doing delirium assessments for three months.

Congratulations to Kashica Walker, RN II on M7SW, for completing her BSN degree in June 2014.

Gabe Blog, CVICU, passed his CCRN exam. Way to go, Gabe!

Rose Bjorklund, PT, senior therapist in the Acute PT department, has been selected to serve on the LAMP Applications Committee for the Health Policy and Administration Section of APTA. The LAMP program is a certificate program that focuses on expanding physical therapy professionals’ leadership and professional potential by developing their skills in Leadership, Administration, Management, and Professionalism. Congratulations, Rose!

JoAnne Ripple, OTR, senior occupational therapist in the Acute OT department, has received the designation of Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist (CSRS). This is granted upon completion of four hands-on training seminars and examination. Congratulations, JoAnne!

Best wishes to Ruby Huff, OTR, in the Acute PT/OT department, upon her retirement after 24-plus years at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Michelle Schoen, RN II in Labor and Delivery, successfully passed her RNC-OB exam! Great job, Michelle!

Hadji Doria, RN, MBA, NEA-BC, and Director of Orthopedic Units, had his manuscript accepted for publication regarding transition from staff nurse to manager by Nurse Leader, the official publication of American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). Congratulations, Hadji!

Case Management and Social Work has recently implemented a Clinical Career Path. The following staff have completed the process and are being promoted: Suzanne Cearley, CM III, Audra White, CM III, Kerry Ewens, SW II, Kathleen Guziak, SW II, Jill Jordan, SW II, Charlotte Kinnard, SW II, John Ontiveros and SW II, Ruth Taylor, SW II.

Many transplant coordinators in the Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center have obtained their CCTC (Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator) certification this year. Congratulations to the following for this accomplishment: Vonzie Barnett, Michelle Bell, Erin Darbonne, Jennifer Hamilton, Jason Hewerdine, Amy Lawless, Sean Leonhardt and Stephanie Washington.

Congratulations to Shanea’ Hall, RN II on the transplant units Dunn 4 West/Dunn 10 East, for passing the Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse certification (CCTN). We’re proud of you, Shanea’!

At the 23rd Annual International Transplant Nurse Society Symposium this September, Dunn 4 West and Dunn 10 East transplant units will showcase the great work they are doing on behalf of our patients and staff.

Jennifer Nguyen, BSN, RN, CCTN, and Tiffany McCarthy, BSN, RN, will make an oral presentation titled “Does Teamwork Directly Impact Patient and Nurse Satisfaction?” and Erin Massey, BSN, RN, CCTN, and Geoff Hood, BSN, RN, will make an oral presentation titled “Bingo and HCAHPS? How It Works and Why.”

Leonafe Alasco, RN, Alkek 8, passed the medical-surgical certification. Congratulations, Leonafe!

Congratulations to Carrie Bridges, PT, CLT, CKTP, a senior physical therapist in the Acute PT and OT department, for achieving her certification as a certified kinesiotaping practitioner. This certification requires independent coursework, supervised lab practicals and a written exam. Way to go, Carrie!

Kyoung Park, RN, Inpatient Dialysis, passed her CNN (certified nephrology nurse) certification. Congratulations, Kay!

HOUSTON METHODIST WILLOWBROOK HOSPITALSuna Cai Ng, RN, BSN, passed her CCRN. Way to go, Suna! HMWB SICU is so happy you joined our team!

Congratulations to Blessie Garcia, BSN, RN, PCCN, Tessa Osmena, BSN, RN, PCCN, and Denise McNulty, MS, BSN, RN-BC, for being named finalists for Mosby’s Superheroes of Nursing!

Congratulations to Elizabeth Barnett, BSN, RNC-OB, Sarah Shaunfield, RN, Susan Weimer, MSN, RN, and Wendi Froedge, MSN, RN, CCRN, for being accepted to give presentations at the 2014 Magnet Conference in October.

HOUSTON METHODIST WEST HOSPITALCongratulations to the following who received their CVRN certifications: Asha Joseph, Erica Hamilton, Ericel Deleon, Marilyn Schneider and Tess Veneracion. Congratulations!

HOUSTON METHODIST ST. JOHN HOSPITALJean Race, RN, BSN, and Becky Roberts, RN, BSN, from the Center for New Life Nurses at Houston Methodist St. John passed their Inpatient Obstetrics Certification. Congratulations!

Bryan Starkey, PCA, obtained his RN. Congratulations!

NURSING NEWS ACCOLADES

houston methodist nurse july/aug 2014

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