Susan Hendrickson
November 2021
Susan
Hendrickson
,
RN
Infusion Center
Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
Plattsburgh
,
NY
United States
When she interacts with her patients, you can tell that at that moment, her patients and what they have to say are very important to her.
Smiles are not always the easiest thing to come by given the seriousness of what many patients in the FitzPatrick Cancer Center’s (FCC) Infusion Center are facing. Still, Registered Nurse Susan Hendrickson’s ability to brighten up those darker days is one of many reasons she has been named the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at CVPH.
“Susan is the type of nurse that sets a great example for all nurses and co-workers to follow,” Her nominator wrote. “She is always putting her heart and soul into all that she does for her patients and colleagues. She has raised the energy level, and it is felt and noticed by everyone in our Infusion Center.”
Her nominator points to the connections Susan makes with every patient she sees. Often, you can find Susan sitting and talking with a person in her care. The conversations range from educating patients on the medications they are about to receive to how the patient is doing on their current therapy and even just listening to updates on loved ones or holiday plans.
“When she interacts with her patients, you can tell that at that moment, her patients and what they have to say are very important to her. Many patients express how much they love the staff of the infusion center, and Susan is always a nurse they mention specifically as having a positive impact on their time there.”
Susan is always ready to jump into action when a patient is experiencing an infusion reaction, remaining calm and collected. She is also renowned for her willingness to speak up and work with others to find solutions that improve the patient experience.
One example is when patients receiving Gastrointestinal (GI) medication infusions at the Ambulatory Surgery Center would be moved to the Infusion Center. Initially, the medications came from the main pharmacy, which unintentionally caused delays for patients. Susan and several of her colleagues brought their concerns to pharmacy management, working through several solutions before ultimately the decision was made to mix the GI medication in the FCC pharmacy. This had a significantly positive impact on the turnaround time, leading to less waiting for patients.
“Susan is a model nurse, not just in skill but in her presentation of her skill through compassion, kindness, and gentle lessons of humility. We are a stronger, more confident team with her as a member. Our patients deserve only the best, and with Susan, you know this is what they will get time after time.”
“Susan is the type of nurse that sets a great example for all nurses and co-workers to follow,” Her nominator wrote. “She is always putting her heart and soul into all that she does for her patients and colleagues. She has raised the energy level, and it is felt and noticed by everyone in our Infusion Center.”
Her nominator points to the connections Susan makes with every patient she sees. Often, you can find Susan sitting and talking with a person in her care. The conversations range from educating patients on the medications they are about to receive to how the patient is doing on their current therapy and even just listening to updates on loved ones or holiday plans.
“When she interacts with her patients, you can tell that at that moment, her patients and what they have to say are very important to her. Many patients express how much they love the staff of the infusion center, and Susan is always a nurse they mention specifically as having a positive impact on their time there.”
Susan is always ready to jump into action when a patient is experiencing an infusion reaction, remaining calm and collected. She is also renowned for her willingness to speak up and work with others to find solutions that improve the patient experience.
One example is when patients receiving Gastrointestinal (GI) medication infusions at the Ambulatory Surgery Center would be moved to the Infusion Center. Initially, the medications came from the main pharmacy, which unintentionally caused delays for patients. Susan and several of her colleagues brought their concerns to pharmacy management, working through several solutions before ultimately the decision was made to mix the GI medication in the FCC pharmacy. This had a significantly positive impact on the turnaround time, leading to less waiting for patients.
“Susan is a model nurse, not just in skill but in her presentation of her skill through compassion, kindness, and gentle lessons of humility. We are a stronger, more confident team with her as a member. Our patients deserve only the best, and with Susan, you know this is what they will get time after time.”