Since becoming a member of the Saint Luke’s East Lee’s Summit (SLELS) team in April 2006, Joyce has been a dynamic driver for expanding nursing support services throughout the hospital. While still in the first months of operations, Joyce joined the SLELS team and embraced the opportunity to wear a variety of hats during her remarkable tenure. Initially hired into the role of a resource nurse, Joyce quickly began to identify opportunities and areas in which to focus her talent. She completed training to become certified to place PICC lines, then later became the Heart Failure and Diabetes Educator for our community hospital, until recently transitioning to the Interventional Radiology (IR) Department. In her current role, she splits her time between the duties of PICC RN and support of physicians and nurses in the care of patients within the IR Department.

Her dedication to patients and peers is simply unmatched. Joyce is absolutely committed to teamwork and conveys genuine compassion and warmth in every customer interaction. She easily builds relationships with patients, families, and colleagues as she delivers the highest quality care. She receives numerous compliments from patients and staff members alike on a regular basis. Joyce brings a wealth of nursing experience to her role and is a well known and trusted resource for physicians and clinicians throughout the hospital. She is always ready to jump into the unexpected or emergent situation to provide care to the most vulnerable of patients.

In her varied patient education roles, she has been a teacher and mentor to many new nurses, who are amazed by Joyce’s extraordinary clinical skills and knowledge. Joyce has the ability to effectively multitask and is able to balance the stressors of multiple responsibilities, while maintaining a positive, energetic attitude. She is a change agent and is always available to support new initiatives and processes.

An ICU RN states “Joyce is a great resource for our unit. She is available to help us navigate through both simple and complex problems. She comes in during off hours and helps with whatever is needed. She is the definition of a resource nurse. I appreciate that Joyce is always in a great mood. I hope someday I can be as knowledgeable as she is.”

Another ICU RN states “Joyce has so many amazing talents, that she is truly worthy of this award. She is constantly advocating for our patients. I have not met a single patient who didn’t love her. I have learned so much from her and I am so grateful.”

Thank you Joyce, for all of your phenomenal contributions to the Saint Luke’s East - Lee’s Summit family. We are so proud you are a member of the team!