HI've known Whitney for over 10 years now. When I started on the Neuro floor, she was a CNA starting LPN school. While I initially found her to be intimidating, I think what I was actually picking up on was her intense passion. Whitney doesn't do anything halfway. She goes all in and her colleagues, family, and patients benefit from that. Since that time a decade ago, Whitney has bridged to RN and obtained her BSN with plans to advance further with her MSN.

The T&D department is fortunate enough to have her teaching new hires at SFMC. Whitney loves bedside nursing so much that she insisted to her boss to please let her work the floor at least one shift per pay period so that she could still have patient interaction. Whitney is so very smart and extremely funny. While she is sassy, she wouldn't hesitate to give you the clothes off her back, no questions asked. Patients are so well cared for in her company and so are their families.

Models empathy and demonstrates a caring attitude in all situations: Since my arrival here at Saint Francis 1 year ago, no one has spent more time and effort to ensure all aspects of our department are met with success. No matter the issue at hand, Whitney is a constant in the sea of change which has embroiled my department and this facility. She reaches out a helping hand no matter the floor, colleague, or situation to do as much as she can to help resolve an issue, right a wrong or assist someone in need.

Demonstrates extraordinary clinical skills in the delivery of compassionate patient care: Whitney is a role model of constant professionalism and a staunch advocate for the patients in our facility in every aspect. This could be on Neuro where she is assigned or in any room on any floor where she sees suffering, need, or void left by something that could make patients' stay here more kind, gentle, and healing.

Has a positive attitude and demonstrates professionalism in the work environment: If you ask any floor in the tower who the one person you can rely on is to assist you when you are inundated with calls, stretched thin, or in need of an IV start; it's Whitney. If you inquire who can you go to for any question and she will have the answer and/or find the answer from a valid source and she will not quit until she succeeds in getting it.

Exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of Saint Francis Healthcare System: Whitney lives and breathes the Mission with pride in every aspect of her role at Saint Francis. From the students who first enter our facility scared and uncertain, whom she embraces with humor and positive reassurance, to the new nurses and travelers whom she pridefully trains and monitors to ensure the highest quality of care that she would provide is the minimum or better for which they are achieving. Her genuine concern for all her patients and every patient on her floor that she embraces as her own - she exemplifies a Christ-like love of healthcare and how we provide it.

Establishes a special connection with patients and families: Whitney is often spoken highly of among patients, new colleagues, and students as helpful, positive, a mentor, and a role model. Whenever I hear her name it is always in reference to a positive experience that made their stay, experience, or education one of the best they could imagine.

What makes this colleague unique in the care they provide throughout the Healthcare System?: Whitney has worked in many roles at SFMC. She adapts easily and always goes above and beyond. She is an asset to any dept she is working in. Her medical knowledge accompanied by her caring and compassionate nature makes her a truly exceptional nurse. I wish I could be more like her.

Whitney has exemplified the ideas we are currently embracing as goals long before they were created. Her tenacity for quality care and pride in Saint Francis drives her involvement in many aspects of training and caregiving throughout our facility always striving to help improve our facility making us a stronger family, and better together. Her professionalism and knowledge make her constantly sought out to assist in solving problems, tackling new ideas or treatment dilemma,s and developing new solutions to evolving situations.

Is there anything else you would like the selection committee to know about your nominee?: Whitney is so very special. I am lucky enough to be her coworker and better yet, her friend. Whitney was essential to the survival of the Learning and Development team when we lost a large number of our staff. Her experience, professionalism, tenacity, and refusal to allow us to fail was the key to our department's evolution and growth. She was always willing to train new staff, lend an ear to our team members who were not strong in teaching, or lifted them up when they felt uncertain of how good they could be. She never lets a task slide, a colleague fail, or our department look bad even when it is not her task. Her motivation and dedication to Nursing are inspiring to all the students she has mentored and respected every colleague she meets