Jennifer Szalat, BSN, RN

1. Jenni is a role model for the FOCUS Values, Just Culture, and behavior perceived as extraordinary.

Jenni Szalat has worked in Trinity’s Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, the Health Ed Center coordinating CNA courses, and the OB/Nursery/Peds as a staff nurse, instructor, manager, and now director.

Jenni is the person with the knowledge and communication style that many of us go to when trying to work through an idea or problem. She has a way of giving you her perspective on the subject and then saying something that prompts you to look at the situation in a new way. She always gets back to you with a very timely response.

She has this same communication style with patients, families, staff, and students. Jenni does model the FOCUS Values and encourages our staff to do the same.

“Jenni is known for the way she could talk to patients to make them feel less anxious and also feel they were receiving great care.”

2. Jenni creates an environment that fosters care, compassion, mutual respect, professional development, safety and ethical behavior.

Staff have shared that Jenni has a strong ability to look at situations from any angle and goes for consistent outcomes.

“Jenni often rounds on the Acute Care patients. She has a caring, compassionate way of talking to patients, so they feel comfortable sharing concerns or asking questions. She shows the same caring and compassion to our staff."

“Jenni taught me so much when I started working in the nursery. Watching her work, it was so obvious that she loved her job. She always took time to make sure I was confident in new skills and understood why we were doing things. She always stayed calm even with the sickest babies and scariest situations – something I really respected, and she set an example I have always tried to follow. She has always been a role model for me and one of the people I respect most in this hospital. As a manager, she always expected us to do what was right and best for patients even if we didn’t understand. She had our respect and trust, and because of that, it was easier to step out of our comfort zone and try to do what she was asking. Jenni was honest and transparent."

3. Jenni is a mentor to staff as well as accessible and responsive. Coaches staff and encourages critical thinking, problem solving, and team development to achieve better outcomes for staff and patients.

“Jenni was and continues to be an amazing mentor to me as I transitioned from an OR nurse to an OB/Peds Manager. She is so patient and kind. She will answer so many questions a multitude of times (even the same question). She is a wonderful resource about all things manager, OB staff, and TRMC. I would never have made it my first year without her and her guidance. I am so grateful to have her.”

"Jenni has an honest, open-door policy. She shows up every day ready to give her best. She always tells the house Supervisors to call day or night with any questions. We have challenged her with this many times – and she always comes through. She challenges us to think outside the box and has made each of us a stronger person and nurse. Jenni is a stellar nurse leader and person. Everyone would be better with a Jenni Szalat in their life.”

4. Jenni promotes and enhances the image of nursing, the community and profession.

Jenni is known and respected in the community. She is an excellent representative and advocate for Trinity. She is known as a Trinity Leader as she rounds with inpatients and patients in our ED.

“Jenni is frequently part of morning rounding in the ED. When she is the Admin person, staff rely on her to help problem-solve and give input to handle difficult situations."

“Jenni is an amazing leader that you can trust to take care of the organization, staff, patients, family members, and visitors. Her heart is big enough for it all. She comes in every day with a beautiful smile and a positive vibe, and you just know it is going to be a good day."