It is with great honor that I recognize John Strong as a DAISY Nurse. From 2230 to 0730, night after night, John has remained a steadfast stalwart to the operating room services at Hennepin County Medical Center for 28 years. Patients and their family/friends arrive on the operating room doorstep in their most vulnerable state, oftentimes presented with uncertain circumstances. John never fails to take the time to compassionately and concisely explain the next steps with inexplicable trustworthiness, allowing the fear of the unknown to dissipate from patients and their loved ones. John Strong has displayed clinical excellence, integrity, and interdepartmental professionalism that does not go unnoticed each and every time he punches the clock. Although he would never admit to his own inherent leadership ability, he absolutely leads by example with an unmatched work ethic, the ability to put patients and staff at ease with his vast knowledge and experience, a 'service before self' morality, and with his inarguable willingness to adapt and overcome any problem that may arise. Without overtly demanding or expecting it, John has earned the respect of staff members across every specialty within Hennepin Healthcare from patient transportation technician to renowned neurosurgeon. John multitasks with ease, juggling requests from surgeons, anesthesia providers, phone calls from staff inquiring when they can deliver the next trauma patient for emergency surgery, all while prioritizing patient care and safety. It goes without saying that the middle of the night can be a frenetic or frenzied time at this level 1 trauma center's operating room, and I have not once heard John utter the phrase "I'm tired tonight" or anything of the sort, even while other staff members have obvious fatigue from a fast and furious shift. He meets and completes each task with strength, motivation, and impressive tireless nature. In closing, I want to emphasize if I or a member of my family ever presents for emergency surgery one dark and lonely night at Hennepin County Medical Center, I can only hope the face we first lay eyes on at those double doors leading into the operating room is that of Mr. John Strong.
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John Strong is an amazing asset to Hennepin Healthcare. When I am working with John, I know whatever comes through the OR doors will be handled with the utmost respect, care, and teamwork. As a circulator, he keeps the OR running efficiently and effectively. I have been in several cases with unstable/trauma patients and John was able to place a Foley under the drape, retrieve whatever was needed for the surgeons, check blood with me (CRNA) and still complete his job, all with a positive attitude. John is hard working, great coworker and a true DAISY Nurse.
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Every time I come into work for a heart patient, he always has the medications in the OR, pumps ready to go and is starting set up. He has started the prep for the patient, actively keeps the OR schedule moving by getting patients himself. He has stayed for a busy day shift after finishing crazy night shift.
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A true team player who gets the job done. I think the world of John.
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I have worked with John Strong for 28 years since we both began our HCMC careers in 1991. His experience working years first as a surgery tech gave him a great background to be the circulating nurse he has become. John knows everything there is about the OR, the instruments used for each case and their location. He coordinates everything beautifully during the busiest night shift and has everything ready for the day shift to take over in the morning. John is an outstanding team player. We in anesthesia, especially appreciate his willingness to help do whatever is necessary for the benefit of the patient. He moves quickly and decisively in acute situations; he is attentive to the patients and his good sense of humor helps everyone get along. I worked overnight call shifts for many years and every time I saw John there, I knew that I had a friend and ally working at my side. John has worked tirelessly and with dedication for HCMC. No one is more deserving of recognition for his skill, knowledge, professionalism, and effort.
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Working with John Strong is always a pleasure. With his previous experience as a scrub tech, now an RN, and many years of service at Hennepin Healthcare he brings valuable clinical skills to every case. Working straight nights at a trauma hospital he does emergency cases, and his compassionate care to patients and families undergoing the unexpected makes all the difference.
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One night John and I were taking care of a trauma patient in the OR with a massive blood loss. John was in control and efficient, functioning as an indispensable member of the team working together to save this patient's life. He goes above and beyond his job description to do whatever is best for the patient. He helped me transfuse many units of blood and exemplified extraordinary care and dedication to both the patient and the OR team that night. John also demonstrates his care for every patient by showing family members to the waiting room, making sure they are taken care of and comfortable, and calling them with updates on the patient's condition. Whatever the task, John is the man for the job!
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John's experience, confidence, and calm, confident demeanor allow the OR and anesthesia staff to breathe a sigh of relief when they see John will be in charge of the OR. He can scrub a case if necessary, anticipate what is needed to run the OR smoothly and has a reassuring bedside manner with pre-op patients, letting them know that we will take good care of them.
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John is the best RN in the OR in my humble opinion. John is efficient, knowledgeable, and is an asset to everyone in the OR (the surgeons, techs and anesthesia teams). He anticipates where help is needed. He has the fastest turnovers with such little help at night. He is very pleasant to work with and makes working at night easier for all! Thank you, John, for all that you do!