Sandy has been a staff RN with the Pediatric Procedure team since its inception in 2014. In the past few years, the team has also evolved to become the informal pediatric vascular team. While several nurses on the team provide vascular services to our pediatric patients, She has taken the lead in advocating for pediatric vascular services. She consistently serves as the vascular nurse providing the following highly specialized services to our pediatric patients: PICC line insertion, Ultrasound (US) guided IV insertion and lab draws as well as consulting with nurses and providers on all vascular access issues.

Sandy also serves as the primary educator for pediatric vascular services: teaching didactic classes on evidence-based vascular practices, training other RNs from various departments in US-guided vascular access. When she serves as the vascular nurse, she ensures all pediatric patients requiring ultrasound-guided vascular access or PICC insertion have been assessed and receive the appropriate vascular device.

She has the professional designation as a Board Certified Vascular Access nurse (VA-BC). She also maintains a database of vascular activities that the team provides throughout the hospital and shares this data with our providers, leadership, and colleagues so they are aware of the major impact these services have on patient, family, and staff satisfaction. The team was able to add an FTE as this data demonstrated the need for additional staff hours providing this highly specialized skill.

As University becomes the center of excellence in pediatric care in our region, a specialized pediatric vascular team is an essential service to increase patient, family, provider, and staff satisfaction. Her knowledge, expertise, and willingness to take the lead in advocating for pediatric patients at University Hospital are exemplary and should be recognized and celebrated.