Kimberley Greenwald
December 2023
Kimberley
Greenwald
,
MSN, RN, CIC
Infection Prevention
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Grand Rapids
,
MI
United States
Kim's relentless surveillance, data collection, and attention to detail are unmatched, and Pine Rest was a better, safer organization during the pandemic because of this.
I have always been impressed by her dedication to the profession of nursing and her commitment to patient care. You have been an invaluable asset to the Pine Rest, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where your scientific and evidence-based mindset and approach to problems were essential in keeping our patients and staff safe. It is my pleasure to recognize you for your hard work and dedication.
***
Kim Greenwald’s expertise in Infection Prevention was invaluable as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Her sense of humor coupled with her commitment to the highest standards of infection prevention made a tremendous difference and helped us be successful despite a lot working against us. She worked diligently researching and repeatedly explaining complex concepts to many of us who didn’t/don’t understand a fraction of what she does about IP.
***
Kim has had a tremendous impact on the health and safety of our 60,000+ patients and 2,000+ staff members annually. Kim’s world-class knowledge in the prevention of infections was priceless prior to the Pandemic but became life-changing during the pandemic. Kim’s advocacy for our staff to be early recipients of the vaccines was truly life-saving for our staff, but it also allowed us to keep our doors open to patients who acutely needed our care during the pandemic. Kim’s advocacy and leadership in helping Pine Rest establish one of only two Covid Positive Acute Psychiatric Inpatient facilities in our State was so impactful. Kim absolutely deserves to be recognized with The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.
***
Kim has dedicated her life's work to caring for patients, specifically to preventing the spread of infection and disease to some of the most vulnerable patients. There have been many times at Pine Rest where the nature of our work has created unique challenges, yet she faces those challenges with ingenuity, creativity, and humor. Kim does not give up but finds new ways to do things. One specific moment to call out is Kim's advocacy and tireless efforts to ensure our residents received IV medication when they were diagnosed with Covid. I can also remember her swabbing patients on an inpatient unit. She had a way of getting even the most resistant individuals to allow her to swab them. I have learned so much from Kim and enjoy working with her. Thank you for your commitment to excellence.
***
I got to know Kim shortly after I transferred to the hospital – and just a couple of months in, COVID hit. We were blessed by her IP expertise, her keen gut sense of what to do when outbreaks arose or things changed, her sense of humor, and willingness to teach. She was patient with those of us who were not medical providers and was willing to always lean in and do the hard thing. I truly believe we made it through the pandemic as well as we did because of Kim’s leadership and knowledge/expertise in IP.
***
Kim has been an amazing mentor. She has shown unwavering support by providing guidance day or night. She was committed to my success and offered words of encouragement when it was needed the most. I am fortunate to have learned all things infection prevention from her!
***
Although I met Kim halfway through the pandemic, it was evident that her passion for evidence-based, sustainable infection prevention and control strategies is her driving force, and she was not one to be reckoned with regarding the safety of her patients and colleagues. Kim's relentless surveillance, data collection, and attention to detail are unmatched, and Pine Rest was a better, safer organization during the pandemic because of this.
***
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I always appreciated Kim’s passion for keeping our patients and staff safe. We could hear how much she cared in her voice, backed up by her actions. She was always up to date on science and epidemiology, and she thoughtfully applied that information to how we could best serve our community through the ministry of Pine Rest. I will always be grateful that Kim was part of the COVID-19 response team, and I was privileged to serve with her.
***
Kim Greenwald’s expertise in Infection Prevention was invaluable as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Her sense of humor coupled with her commitment to the highest standards of infection prevention made a tremendous difference and helped us be successful despite a lot working against us. She worked diligently researching and repeatedly explaining complex concepts to many of us who didn’t/don’t understand a fraction of what she does about IP.
***
Kim has had a tremendous impact on the health and safety of our 60,000+ patients and 2,000+ staff members annually. Kim’s world-class knowledge in the prevention of infections was priceless prior to the Pandemic but became life-changing during the pandemic. Kim’s advocacy for our staff to be early recipients of the vaccines was truly life-saving for our staff, but it also allowed us to keep our doors open to patients who acutely needed our care during the pandemic. Kim’s advocacy and leadership in helping Pine Rest establish one of only two Covid Positive Acute Psychiatric Inpatient facilities in our State was so impactful. Kim absolutely deserves to be recognized with The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.
***
Kim has dedicated her life's work to caring for patients, specifically to preventing the spread of infection and disease to some of the most vulnerable patients. There have been many times at Pine Rest where the nature of our work has created unique challenges, yet she faces those challenges with ingenuity, creativity, and humor. Kim does not give up but finds new ways to do things. One specific moment to call out is Kim's advocacy and tireless efforts to ensure our residents received IV medication when they were diagnosed with Covid. I can also remember her swabbing patients on an inpatient unit. She had a way of getting even the most resistant individuals to allow her to swab them. I have learned so much from Kim and enjoy working with her. Thank you for your commitment to excellence.
***
I got to know Kim shortly after I transferred to the hospital – and just a couple of months in, COVID hit. We were blessed by her IP expertise, her keen gut sense of what to do when outbreaks arose or things changed, her sense of humor, and willingness to teach. She was patient with those of us who were not medical providers and was willing to always lean in and do the hard thing. I truly believe we made it through the pandemic as well as we did because of Kim’s leadership and knowledge/expertise in IP.
***
Kim has been an amazing mentor. She has shown unwavering support by providing guidance day or night. She was committed to my success and offered words of encouragement when it was needed the most. I am fortunate to have learned all things infection prevention from her!
***
Although I met Kim halfway through the pandemic, it was evident that her passion for evidence-based, sustainable infection prevention and control strategies is her driving force, and she was not one to be reckoned with regarding the safety of her patients and colleagues. Kim's relentless surveillance, data collection, and attention to detail are unmatched, and Pine Rest was a better, safer organization during the pandemic because of this.
***
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I always appreciated Kim’s passion for keeping our patients and staff safe. We could hear how much she cared in her voice, backed up by her actions. She was always up to date on science and epidemiology, and she thoughtfully applied that information to how we could best serve our community through the ministry of Pine Rest. I will always be grateful that Kim was part of the COVID-19 response team, and I was privileged to serve with her.