A special celebration took place yesterday in honor of Sue Hochstedler, RN, LADC1, Substance Abuse Counselor at the DISCOVER Program at Addison Gilbert Hospital. Not only is Sue retiring this month after 21 years of dedicated service, she is also the most recent recipient of the prestigious DAISY Award. Her DAISY nomination was overwhelmingly supported by patients and colleagues alike.?
In a heartfelt letter of thanks, one DISCOVER Program participant admitted her reluctance about seeking help for her addiction and said, "I credit Sue and the program for saving my life … I am eternally grateful." ?
Sue's impact on those she has helped has been consistently recognized in patient surveys as well. Examples include:
"Sue is one of those people who changes your life for the better — whether you want it changed or not! She literally redirected my life from a downward spiral into one of hope and happiness."?
"Early on, I remember one counseling session where Sue told me that she really believed I could stop drinking and be successful. I cried but it gave me incredible hope."?
Sue Hochstedler, known throughout the hospital as "an exceptional resource," is also a member of the Gloucester High-Risk Task Force, a collaborative of community resources dedicated to saving lives, decreasing barriers to care and increasing access to treatment.?
Sue is an expert; someone whose caring makes a critical difference for patients and their families.