Ruth is extremely passionate about the nursing profession and very proud to be a nurse. The joy and love she has for her role and work are evident in all that she does. She takes every opportunity to share her knowledge, experience, and passion with others. She creates a positive image of professional nursing by cultivating and growing ICU staff. She has hired many nurses including new graduates and works closely with them to ensure they become successful, confident critical care nurses. When she sees potential in her staff she helps to guide and mentor them to new and challenging roles such as charge nurse or clinical coach. She looks to nursing research and literature on a daily basis seeking evidenced-based practice and shares this with the team when they are working to solve a problem. She advocates for what she believes is right even when it is unpopular and goes against the norm keeping the patients or staff at the center of her why.
One of Ruth's lifetime goals is to achieve winning the Beacon Award with the ICU team.She has worked closely with the ICU team and our educator over the past several years in preparation to apply for the ICU Beacon Award in late 2020. She has encouraged many nurses to take the CCRN/PCCN review course and to obtain their CCRN. As a result, we now have 18 certified nurses and the number continues to grow. She also got her CCRN certification as well. She has been there to support the advancement of many of her nurses to become APRNs and CRNAs. She is a fierce advocate for continuing education, seeking opportunities, and finding ways to support nursing practice.
Ruth is a Servant Leader. She always puts others before herself, cares about the staff both professionally and personally, and makes sure their needs are met. She would never ask someone to do something that she was not willing to do herself. She continually looks for ways to engage staff in their interests and to help them thrive in their career goals. She is also a leader mentor, working closely with newer, less experienced leaders sharing her expertise with them in any way she can.
Ruth goes above and beyond to round and comfort families who are receiving difficult news or making heartbreaking decisions. She is often seen sitting in a room talking to patients and families, holding their hands, and being present to help them during this difficult time. She always knows the story of the patient. She takes the time to get to know them, listens, and shares a kind word. She is humble and does these things because of her love for caring for others. She is rooted in her faith and is always willing to offer a prayer or silence to anyone in need. She checks on her peers who may be struggling and offers support and kindness. There have also been many times where she has helped one of her staff deal with a difficult situation both personally and professionally.
Ruth embodies the SSM Health Mission in all that she does. She has participated in many committees and activities throughout her years at SSM Health. Most recently she has been involved with the Mission Awareness Team including the Kids Safe Halloween Party for the past 5 years, numerous LEAN initiatives, helping with the Lavender Cart, Nurses Certification Dinner, and Nurses Week. She is very active in her church and is a member of the Nurses Christian Fellowship.She has served as a member of the Board of Education for the Pattonville School District for the past 16 years, which is in our hospital community.
I have worked closely with Ruth for the past 10 years in nursing leadership. Ruth has been with SSM for 39 years and has been extremely dedicated to serving others. She is one of the most passionate Critical Care nurses I have had the pleasure to work with. She gives 110% every day in all that she does. She is dedicated, strong, and resilient. Ruth was the Team Leader for 3S for 5 years and stepped away to seek a new opportunity with the LEAN initiative. During this time, she was able to implement change throughout the hospital, partnering with leaders of many departments. Despite her success in this role, Ruth missed the bedside care, patients, and being a part of the ICU team. When the leader position came open again for the ICU Ruth expressed the desire to return to the role. During her absence, the team struggled with inconsistency, leader turnover, and support that they desperately needed. Ruth returned to the leadership of the ICU and for the past 3 years has worked tirelessly to help turn the team around. With her guidance, coaching, and commitment the team is more engaged, works together and is focused on improving patient outcomes.
A huge shining moment for Ruth is the excellence demonstrated during the COVID crisis earlier this year. Ruth worked closely with the 3N ICU manager Katie Eason and the Intensivist group to turn 3N into our dedicated COVID ICU. With little time to spare they were able to quickly ensure we could manage the high influx and acuity of patients as smoothly as possible. She helped secure equipment, supplies, and room set-up for a dedicated procedure room for COVID patients brought to the ICU in crisis. She made sure nurses had scrubs, hats, caps, changing areas, and all necessary PPE to feel safe. She made signs to hang up in the hallways and break rooms to boost their spirits, offer encouragement, and help everyone to get through it one day at a time. She always made sure the staff was cared for, fed, and knew that no matter what we would be ok.
She was a shining star in a dark time of great unknown, fear, and uncertainty. She makes it a point to nominate staff for various awards including The DAISY Award, Great Catch Award, and Jill Fine Award always recognizing exceptional team members. Another example involves mentoring. Ruth approached me about one of her night nurses that she saw leadership potential in. A Nurse Manager position was open for the IMC unit which was transitioning to an ICU unit following renovation. She met with her nurse, Katie Eason, and talked with her about her professional goals and aspirations. She shared the potential she saw in her for this role and encouraged her to consider applying. Katie took this feedback, thought it over, and decided it was an exciting opportunity to be a part of a huge change for the Critical Care Department. As a result, Katie interviewed and was selected for the leader role. Since her transition to the leader role approximately 2 years ago Katie and Ruth have worked together to build one united Critical Care team across the 3rd floor. Their collaboration and forward focus for the team has created a positive environment for both our staff and our patients. Ruth has worked closely with Katie mentoring her, sharing her wealth of knowledge, and helping her to be successful. Ruth is extremely deserving of this award as she has spent her lifetime committed to the Nursing Profession and to SSM. I am very grateful that I have had the opportunity to work with her over the years and for her many contributions.