A certified nursing assistant (CNA) fills an essential role on the patient care team, assisting staff and, even more important, helping patients at vulnerable times in their lives. At HUP’s annual CNA celebration, Betty Ann Boczar, BSN, nursing director of Regulatory Compliance HUP/CPUP, encouraged them to “reflect on the important work that you do, with compassion and commitment. Your kind words of encouragement, your active listening, and your gentle touch of reassurance are things that you do every day to help our patients feel better. Continue to make your units the best, be proud of the work you do, and know that we support all of you.”
In addition to recognition—and a delicious luncheon on Miller Plaza—the celebration also included the annual presentation to this year’s three CNA of the Year Award winners: Mercedes Brooks, Charynda George, and Jessica Aye.
Spirit of Professionalism
The “Spirit of Professionalism” award recognizes a CNA who values lifelong learning, is self motivated and highly accountable for the practice. Mercedes Brooks of Rhoads 1 is a perfect fit.
Despite a hectic schedule, Brooks upholds a cheerful disposition with staff and patients, is “exemplary” when it comes to communication and “not afraid to assert herself” when it comes to patient concerns. “She recognizes the importance of alerting nursing to an abnormal vital sign, blood sugar, or change in patient mental status.” In addition, her experience on the unit has inspired her to pursue a nursing career and she “consistently searches out opportunities to observe clinical nursing skills she is learning in school.”
Working on the nightshift, Brooks is often on the floor by herself but nothing is too great a task to do when it comes to her patients, the nomination noted. “She has gone to outside food vendors to obtain nourishment for patients” and has even delivered food to a patient who was transferred to another floor, paying out of her own pocket. She makes sure “even the challenging and resistant patients are bathed daily” and will play music to soothe them. “Patients always remark that she makes them feel refreshed.”
Brooks is an “integral part of Rhoads 1. The unit functions at a higher level when she is on shift. Both nurses and CNAs comment on how much they enjoy working with Mercedes. She exemplifies what it means to be professional.”
CNA of the Year Nominees
Congratulations to all certified nursing assistants below who were nominated for their exceptional work on the unit:
Ivor Assaye Silverstein 12
Jessica Aye Silverstein 7
Rae Barr Rhoads 6
Sabrina Bennett Ravdin 6
Shanell Bevins Radiation Oncology
Mercedes Brooks Rhoads 1
Mya Ervin Founders 12
Margaret Fisher PCAM Infusion
Charynda George Rhoads 3
Shayla Graves Founders 14
Mark Green Founders 8
Al Hood Staffing for All Seasons
Tina Huber Valley Forge Infusion
Monique Moore Dulles 6
Va Nim Founders 5
Sam Ochabillo Catheter Recovery Unit
Crystal Parks Ravdin 8
Louise Robinson Rhoads 6
Dionne Sewell Founders 14
Clarence Spencer Founders 8
Monique Young Ravdin 6
Eva Zois Rhoads 6
Partnerships with Nursing and Interdisciplinary Care
Jessica Aye of Silverstein 7 does not limit her day to obtaining vital signs and giving bed baths. She goes above and beyond. Each day she works with patients to create plans of care and then collaborates with nurses to come up with a plan to achieve the patients’ goals. “She is providing nurses with valuable insight on our patients before we even meet some of them.”
Beyond nurses, “Jessica is comfortable seeking out other members of the interdisciplinary care team to help patients whenever necessary,” for example, she called a chaplain as an additional resource for a patient who had suffered the devastating loss of her baby.
She intervenes quickly to avoid potentially unsafe situations. When she noticed a new mom sleeping with her baby in bed, she woke the patient and helped place the baby safely in the crib but also took the time to educate the patient on safe sleep for baby and then updated the patient’s nurse on her concern.
“It is truly a breath of fresh air to work with a nursing assistant who is self-motivated, self-directed, and often 10 steps ahead of you. Before a nurse even asks her to get a post-operative patient out of bed and moving, “she is already walking with them in the hallway.”
Patient and Family-Centered Care
Charynda (Ryn) George of Rhoads 3 — a medical oncology unit — is passionate about her work. Her patients battle symptoms caused by both diseases and treatments, but “it is inspiring to witness the effect she has on everyone around her.”
George takes a proactive approach to providing patient care. For example, she has turned bed baths into a spa-like experience and many patients have expressed gratitude of the care she puts into the activity that is sometimes uncomfortable for someone who was previously independent (pre-diagnosis) to accept. “I cannot count how many times I’ve heard a patient say ‘Oh, Ryn’s my CNA today? She’s the best!’”
She also provides fresh ice water for each and every patient in her section of the unit, as well as extras for any family members who have spent the night. “It’s amazing how a simple glass of ice water goes such a long way.”
“Ryn carries the light of positivity into each room she enters.” When a patient told her she “smells amazing,” she bought a tube of her lotion after work and gave it to the patient the next morning. “It made the patient’s entire week. Ryn is thoughtful and generous like that. She is always willing to go out of her way to make someone’s day.”
George gives each patient one hundred and ten percent of her time, energy, and care, and “it is so infectious.”