Jean Bunch
May 2019
Jean
Bunch
,
BS, RN
Chronic Disease Resource Nurse
Vidant Chowan Hospital
Greenville
,
NC
United States
Jean Bunch has given so much of herself to the communities and patients we serve and to her coworkers. Her journey began long ago when she was "No Puff Mama" and worked throughout the state with teens to prevent smoking. She also worked tirelessly for Vidant Chowan Hospital to be a Smoke Free Campus, one of the first hospitals in the state to take this stand. This movement, fueled by Jean's passion, quickly spread to other agencies and even the legislature as NC laws changed over time to prohibit smoking in public facilities. She has a true gift when it comes to inspiring others.
Jean then became our first Transitional Care nurse, following high-risk patients upon discharge to home and doctor's visits, coordinating their care. She made sure they had everything they needed, including food that was diet appropriate for them. She set up food drives for the hospital team members to donate healthy foods going above and beyond the required duties of her role. Jean's next role was as our Chronic Disease Nurse Educator. Her advocacy for patients and creativity in teaching touched patients, families, and team members in unique and effective ways. While in this role she has taken on some special projects for me. She is my Champion for these because of her enthusiasm, passion and creative ability.
The first project was our Dementia Friendly journey. While beginning this journey, Jean was helping her sisters take care of her own mother suffering from dementia, eventually losing her to the disease. Her own personal experience with her mom only intensified her desire to truly make a difference in the lives of other patients with Dementia and their families. Her passion and desire to make a difference for these patients and their families led to Vidant Chowan's recognition as the second hospital in the state to be designated as Dementia Friendly. She has since shared her work across the state. During this time, she also became the catalyst for the community task force for Dementia Friendly and because of this work, Jean was chosen as the Humanitarian of the Year by Chowan County for 2019.
In the midst of all of this Jean became our first DAISY Coordinator. She quickly launched this program with her unique style and creativity not just for Vidant Chowan but for Vidant Bertie as well. She shared her creative ideas throughout the system as other hospitals began their DAISY journey.
This is just a snapshot of Jean. Her humor is a ray of sunshine and she gives so much of herself to others. It is because of this passion and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others that make her a true DAISY Nurse.
Jean then became our first Transitional Care nurse, following high-risk patients upon discharge to home and doctor's visits, coordinating their care. She made sure they had everything they needed, including food that was diet appropriate for them. She set up food drives for the hospital team members to donate healthy foods going above and beyond the required duties of her role. Jean's next role was as our Chronic Disease Nurse Educator. Her advocacy for patients and creativity in teaching touched patients, families, and team members in unique and effective ways. While in this role she has taken on some special projects for me. She is my Champion for these because of her enthusiasm, passion and creative ability.
The first project was our Dementia Friendly journey. While beginning this journey, Jean was helping her sisters take care of her own mother suffering from dementia, eventually losing her to the disease. Her own personal experience with her mom only intensified her desire to truly make a difference in the lives of other patients with Dementia and their families. Her passion and desire to make a difference for these patients and their families led to Vidant Chowan's recognition as the second hospital in the state to be designated as Dementia Friendly. She has since shared her work across the state. During this time, she also became the catalyst for the community task force for Dementia Friendly and because of this work, Jean was chosen as the Humanitarian of the Year by Chowan County for 2019.
In the midst of all of this Jean became our first DAISY Coordinator. She quickly launched this program with her unique style and creativity not just for Vidant Chowan but for Vidant Bertie as well. She shared her creative ideas throughout the system as other hospitals began their DAISY journey.
This is just a snapshot of Jean. Her humor is a ray of sunshine and she gives so much of herself to others. It is because of this passion and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others that make her a true DAISY Nurse.