May 2026 Honoree
CVOR
Demetrius Kemp, BNS, RN • Jaime Davis BSN, RN, CNOR • Madison Baker BSN, RN • Madison Gertner, BSN, RN • Troy Sorbo, BSN, RN, CNOR • Brandy Bell, CNA
My team consistently demonstrates NKC Health’s mission of delivering high-quality, compassionate care through their collaborative approach to patient safety, clinical excellence, and service.
Each member contributes to a culture of accountability and mutual respect, ensuring that every patient receives coordinated, patient-centered care throughout the perioperative experience. Their commitment to teamwork is evident in the way they communicate, anticipate patient needs, and support one another during complex procedures.
By prioritizing safety, maintaining strict adherence to evidence-based practices, and advocating for patients and families, the team ensures that clinical decisions always reflect the best interests of those entrusted to their care.
In addition, the team embodies NKC Health’s values through professionalism, continuous learning, and a willingness to assist colleagues across disciplines. Their dedication strengthens the culture of excellence within Surgical Services and reinforces the organization’s commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for our patients and community.
My team actively supports NKC Health’s organizational and nursing goals by consistently aligning their daily practice with the hospital’s commitment to quality, safety, and patient-centered care.
Through strong collaboration and accountability, they contribute to operational efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.
Members of the team demonstrate a commitment to nursing and departmental priorities by supporting quality improvement initiatives, adhering to evidence-based perioperative practices, and maintaining readiness for regulatory and accreditation standards.
They actively engage in initiatives that strengthen patient safety, enhance workflow efficiency, and promote positive patient outcomes.
Additionally, the team fosters a culture of shared governance and professional growth by supporting colleagues, participating in educational opportunities, and reinforcing best practices within the department. Their collective dedication ensures that unit-level goals align with the broader mission and strategic priorities of NKC Health.
Implementation of the Ross procedure at NKC Health (the only adult program in KC) required the CVOR nurses to expand their clinical education, technical proficiency, and scope of practice beyond routine valve replacement surgery.
Because the Ross procedure effectively involves replacement of two heart valves, operative times are longer, and nursing contributions in anticipation, preparedness, and readiness are critical to achieving the shortest cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times possible.
CVOR circulators and scrub nurses play an integral role in homograft preparation, which requires strict adherence to thawing, handling, and preparation protocols. Nursing vigilance in maintaining graft integrity, ensuring procedural flow, and anticipating transitions between operative phases directly supports surgical efficiency and patient safety during these complex cases.
With the implementation of thromboelastography (TEG), nursing practice evolved to support real-time, data-driven hemostasis management during cardiac surgery.
Nursing responsibilities begin with timely blood sample ordering and collection to ensure accurate and actionable results. Once TEG findings are interpreted by the surgeon, anesthesia, and perfusion teams, nursing focus shifts to coordinated blood product acquisition, verification, and transfusion. This expanded role highlights nursing’s essential contribution to patient blood management, rapid intervention for coagulopathies, and interdisciplinary collaboration in high-acuity cardiac cases.
Caring for an entire family affected by congenital Marfan’s syndrome presented unique nursing opportunities, as the surgical experience represented a shared journey rather than isolated patient encounters.
Nursing messaging required consistency across family members while remaining individualized based on each patient’s anatomy, procedure, and recovery needs.
The care of this family—each undergoing valve-sparing aortic root replacement—highlighted nursing excellence within the CVOR through continuity, comprehensive education, and psychosocial support. Nurses served as a stabilizing presence, communicating procedural timelines & status, while providing emotional support to the patient and family.
My team exemplifies the strength of perioperative collaboration. In a fast-paced and technically complex surgical environment, they demonstrate exceptional communication, anticipation of patient needs, and unwavering support for one another. Their coordination with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and ancillary staff ensures safe and efficient care while maintaining a calm and professional atmosphere for both patients and colleagues.
Each member contributes to a culture of accountability and mutual respect, ensuring that every patient receives coordinated, patient-centered care throughout the perioperative experience. Their commitment to teamwork is evident in the way they communicate, anticipate patient needs, and support one another during complex procedures.
By prioritizing safety, maintaining strict adherence to evidence-based practices, and advocating for patients and families, the team ensures that clinical decisions always reflect the best interests of those entrusted to their care.
In addition, the team embodies NKC Health’s values through professionalism, continuous learning, and a willingness to assist colleagues across disciplines. Their dedication strengthens the culture of excellence within Surgical Services and reinforces the organization’s commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for our patients and community.
My team actively supports NKC Health’s organizational and nursing goals by consistently aligning their daily practice with the hospital’s commitment to quality, safety, and patient-centered care.
Through strong collaboration and accountability, they contribute to operational efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.
Members of the team demonstrate a commitment to nursing and departmental priorities by supporting quality improvement initiatives, adhering to evidence-based perioperative practices, and maintaining readiness for regulatory and accreditation standards.
They actively engage in initiatives that strengthen patient safety, enhance workflow efficiency, and promote positive patient outcomes.
Additionally, the team fosters a culture of shared governance and professional growth by supporting colleagues, participating in educational opportunities, and reinforcing best practices within the department. Their collective dedication ensures that unit-level goals align with the broader mission and strategic priorities of NKC Health.
Implementation of the Ross procedure at NKC Health (the only adult program in KC) required the CVOR nurses to expand their clinical education, technical proficiency, and scope of practice beyond routine valve replacement surgery.
Because the Ross procedure effectively involves replacement of two heart valves, operative times are longer, and nursing contributions in anticipation, preparedness, and readiness are critical to achieving the shortest cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times possible.
CVOR circulators and scrub nurses play an integral role in homograft preparation, which requires strict adherence to thawing, handling, and preparation protocols. Nursing vigilance in maintaining graft integrity, ensuring procedural flow, and anticipating transitions between operative phases directly supports surgical efficiency and patient safety during these complex cases.
With the implementation of thromboelastography (TEG), nursing practice evolved to support real-time, data-driven hemostasis management during cardiac surgery.
Nursing responsibilities begin with timely blood sample ordering and collection to ensure accurate and actionable results. Once TEG findings are interpreted by the surgeon, anesthesia, and perfusion teams, nursing focus shifts to coordinated blood product acquisition, verification, and transfusion. This expanded role highlights nursing’s essential contribution to patient blood management, rapid intervention for coagulopathies, and interdisciplinary collaboration in high-acuity cardiac cases.
Caring for an entire family affected by congenital Marfan’s syndrome presented unique nursing opportunities, as the surgical experience represented a shared journey rather than isolated patient encounters.
Nursing messaging required consistency across family members while remaining individualized based on each patient’s anatomy, procedure, and recovery needs.
The care of this family—each undergoing valve-sparing aortic root replacement—highlighted nursing excellence within the CVOR through continuity, comprehensive education, and psychosocial support. Nurses served as a stabilizing presence, communicating procedural timelines & status, while providing emotional support to the patient and family.
My team exemplifies the strength of perioperative collaboration. In a fast-paced and technically complex surgical environment, they demonstrate exceptional communication, anticipation of patient needs, and unwavering support for one another. Their coordination with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and ancillary staff ensures safe and efficient care while maintaining a calm and professional atmosphere for both patients and colleagues.
Thank you for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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