Jessica Berry, a registered nurse and manager of nursing administration, received the Olympic Medical Center Leadership Award in July.

OMC representatives praised Berry’s leadership during a time when OMC has seen a marked increase in visits to the emergency department, resulting in increased wait times and short staffing in nursing areas, the organization said in a press release in late August.

“Jessica is a true leader, someone who is transparent and whose expectations are clear. She is a strong resource and consistently demonstrates professionalism clinically and inter-personally,” OMC chief nursing officer Vickie Swanson said.

Berry is a 16-year veteran of OMC. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing the nursing administration department, including house supervisors. She works with providers, department directors, charge nurses and others to ensure proper patient placement, appropriateness of admission status and appropriateness of staff levels. She also assists in the flow of patients from the admission process to discharge and “promotes effective communication between hospital units, which has been paramount during the pandemic response,” OMC representatives said.

Swanson went on to describe Berry as the definition of a nurse and a leader, one who “goes above and beyond the call of duty; is the first to work and the last to leave; the heart and soul of caring; a unique soul who will pass through your life for a minute and impact it for eternity.”

OMC CEO Darryl Wolfe announced the award at the July monthly management team meeting.