Sandy Hoak’s colleagues pose with her after she is awarded the DAISY Award for January 2012! From Left to Right: Jennifer Finnegan, Melissa Bostrom, Sand Steffenson, Sandy Hoak,
Colleen Kowalchuk, Belinda Brummett, and Karl Sanford

I have had the pleasure of working beside Sandy for 4 years now. She has been a nurse for over 30 years and still has the enthusiasm of a new grad but the knowledge of a seasoned nurse. She is a stout patient advocate, and is not scared to go toe to toe with a physician, over what she feels is in the best interest of the patient. Sandy has recently obtained her CCRN in addition to being a certified flight nurse. She is on board with FMH’s road to magnet status and is the cath lab liaison to the educational committee. Sandy is always the first one to step in and be willing to teach and share her knowledge with new nurses, techs, and collaborating with staff from other floors. Sandy teaches at the new grad orientation and had recently taught at the ER skills fair. She works full time , 5 eight hour shifts and does call every 4 days and is always willing to pick up extra shifts for her colleagues in need. She has saved many a life in regards to our STEMI patients. I can’t say enough good things about Sandy to convey what a great asset she is to FMH and the cath lab. She has a smile on her face and is the team player we always talk about wanting at FMH and I feel lucky to have her working here! If someone is deserving of the DAISY Award for all the attributes stated under the Criteria, it is our Nurse Hoak.