Jennifer McKee, an ICU/telemetry certified nursing assistant with Olympic Medical Center (OMC), was recently honored with the BEE (Being Excellent Every Day) Award.

The award, established by OMC and a companion to the DAISY Award given to nursing staff, recognizes non-nurse staff members, both clinical and non-clinical, who exceed expectation in service excellence every day.

Jennifer was nominated by three separate people for the BEE Award, highlighting the impact her work and care has not McKee on patients, but on those she works alongside.

“Jenn is very compassionate with each patient she cares for. She always encourages and has a cheerful word for the patients,” wrote one colleague in her nomination. “She is reliable and always arrives to work with a good attitude and a willingness to do whatever needs to be done. So many times I’ve asked for her help and I know I can depend on her.”

OMC Chief Executive Officer Darryl Wolfe and ICU/Telemetry Director Katrin Junghanns-Royack, recently presented the award to McKee.

They read the three nomination stories at the presentation, which said:

“In my 21 years here, I haven’t worked with anyone more deserving of a BEE Award than Jenn. She is one of the most reliable and dependable people I have worked with. She rarely misses work. When I round on patients in our unit, her name comes up often from patients and families.

She seems to see problems before they happen and intervenes to avoid them. She changes roles quickly and without complaint. If a patient becomes confused, she brings a calming familiar energy that always seems to help calm or alleviate patient fears.

I have seen her volunteer for jobs no one else wants. During COVID, she was often seen sitting in a room with a patient struggling for air but would stay with them and hold their hand until they got their breath back. Ultimate co-worker!”

“I have worked with Jenn for several years on evening shift. She is always busy and attentive to her patients and anticipates the needs of her patients before they know that they will need something. Her patients are always clean, with fresh linen.

“Their meals are promptly ordered, and if they need assistance to eat, she is always right there. I have never heard Jenn complain, no matter how difficult the situation is, how tiring her job may be, or how unpleasant the task is. She always seeks out ways to be proactive. She has a way of being in the right spot at the right time. She is very efficient with her time management and never leaves things undone for the following shift. She often goes beyond the requirements of her shift and will assist with bathing our vented patients on her shift, instead of leaving the task to the night shift CNA.

“Jenn is very compassionate with each patient she cares for. She always encourages and has a cheerful word for the patients. She is reliable and always arrives to work with a good attitude and a willingness to do whatever needs to be done. So many times I’ve asked for her help and I know I can depend on her. Our patients are in good hands when Jenn is their CNA.

Jenn, thank you for all you do for our ICU/Tele patients and for the staff as well!

“Jenn consistently goes above and beyond to make sure her patients receive the absolute best care. No matter how busy it is or how many patients she is responsible for, she works tirelessly to make sure every need is met.

“Patients often comment on the lack of ‘feeling human’ while they are here. Jenn takes the time to make sure each and every patient is able to do the little things that make them feel human again — bathe, walk, eat, bundle up with warm blankets, adjust the lights, etc. These tasks are often overlooked, and CNAs often do not get the recognition they deserve for making these things happen but these are the things that make patients feel a little less scared and a little more “human”. No one does more to get these things done, and every patient who moves through ICU has had their stay made a little better by having Jenn take care of them.”

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.

To nominate an excellent Olympic Medical Center staff member, go to olympicmedical.org/thankyou.