According to the colleague who nominated certified nursing assistant Kris Spear for the Olympic Medical Center BEE Award (Being Excellent Every Day), the medical/surgical/pediatric CNA is “one of the greatest assets” OMC has.
Spear was presented with the service excellence award thanks to a nomination that gave praise and appreciation for the countless ways she “gives of her herself, her time and her energy to provide the best care possible, giving a positive experience to every patient admitted.”
The award was established by OMC to recognize staff members, both clinical and non-clinical, who exceed expectation in service excellence every day.
“Kris is a fantastic certified nursing assistant who comes from a customer service background and chose to enter the healthcare field at the start of the COVID Pandemic,” OMC medical/surgical/pediatrics director Denise Harman said. “Her dedication to our patients here at OMC is second to none. Her compassion, not only for our patients, but her coworkers, shines through in all she does.”
Spear’s nomination highlighted in detail her commitment to her work, showcasing the ways she humbly creates an environment for both patients and coworkers to thrive, with her nominee writing:
“Kris Spear is the embodiment of the care and compassion that we all strive to show our patients. Kris consistently goes above and beyond for each and every patient she cares for. No matter what the patient needs, be it an ear to listen, a warm blanket, ice water, a room tidied up, a bed bath, a snack, or just your standard monitoring, Kris can be found ensuring that each need of every patient assigned to her is addressed individually, and with concern for their unique needs.
Kris can also be found helping her colleagues. If Kris is not in a room and a call light is going off, Kris goes to offer a hand, without being asked to do so, and she checks on her team as much as she checks on her patients.
Kris gives of herself, her time, and her energy to provide the best care possible, giving a positive experience to every patient admitted here. She never leaves a patient feeling rushed. Kris gives each patient her undivided attention while she is in their room.
Kris even cares for patients after she clocks out. I’ve seen Kris purchase clothing for a patient that didn’t have anything clean to wear. I’ve seen her spend her own money to purchase a patient’s favorite sugar-free beverage when it’s not something that OMC carries while the patient is basically living here in the hospital awaiting safe placement.
This is not just a job or a career to Kris. The effort that she gives in the workplace is just who she is. She is giving, she is kind, she is professional, she cares, she does what she can, and she advocates for everyone on the floor to receive the care they deserve. Kris is the eyes and ears that so many of the nurses lucky enough to work with her rely on to be that first alert to the tiniest of changes in a patient. With Kris consistently active on the floor, she frequently sees the change before we do, and she brings it to our attention.
When I had a patient begin to deteriorate and complain of shortness of breath, it was Kris who notified me. Because of Kris, I was able to assess, get the doctor involved, get diagnostics ordered and resulted, confirm a MI was taking place, and get the patient transferred downstairs before a code or RRT became necessary.
Kris rounds on her patients with a frequency that goes above and beyond what is required by policy. Kris remains alert, diligent, and attentive to her patients whether they are asleep or awake. I value what Kris brings to the department. When I work with Kris, I worry a little less.
I see the impact that Kris has on our patients, I see how valuable she is to them as well. Many of these patients don’t have the capacity to nominate her, but in talking to them and seeing how she has touched their lives, and watching the compassionate way she delivers care so gently, I can confidently say they would nominate her if they could.
I am thankful for Kris’ presence within the OMC workforce. She is one of the greatest assets we have.”
Olympic Medical staff may be nominated for the BEE Award by patients, families and colleagues. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him on “Being Excellent Every Day.”
The certificate reads: “With deep appreciation for being excellent at what you do, for going above and beyond and making a difference for those around you every day.”
Honorees also receive a BEE Award pin and a gift bag containing a jar of local honey.
A cross-functional committee of healthcare workers review the nominations and select the final nominee.
Go to olympicmedical.org/thankyou for more information or to nominate an excellent Olympic Medical Center staff member.
