Dawn is more than extraordinary! I met Dawn back in 2005 when I was a nursing student. In 2006 I joined the UMC family as a Nurse, Dawn was Dayshift Charge Nurse in Post-Partum and always displayed professionalism, empathy, and compassion not only for her patients but; for her fellow nurses and new grads alike. She always oriented the new grads and took them under her wing and taught them what they needed to know. It was not a surprise to see her advance her degree and go to the Education Department where she has been an asset to that department. She also became the 7th floor/Perinatal Educator. She has so much commitment and passion for teaching that, she even comes on weekends, nights, and early mornings to capture both shifts and run different drills as needed to keep our Perinatal Unit up to date with current changes in our practice and to help us stay sharp so that we provide the best care to our patients.

Dawn always has time for anyone no matter what time it is. I remember needing an NRP class, I had overlooked and forgot to sign up for it. I called Dawn at 7:30 pm panicking, I first apologized for calling after hours and then asked if she could help. The next day I registered for the class and she came to my unit and hand-delivered me an NRP book. I’m one of many that Dawn always goes above and beyond to make sure that we have our NRP, ACLS & BLS. She also teaches Perinatal Orientation Education Program (POEP) to our new grads and facilitates simulations and drills to keep our skills sharp.

Through the years no matter what role Dawn has been in she always does it with pride, I met her when she was a Staff Nurse, later a Charge Nurse, and now an Educator and the one constant is her beautiful smile and the willingness to always go above and beyond. Dawn is also part of many Hospital Councils and Committees but, Nurse Recognition is her passion. She is the Chair of the Clinical Ladder Committee and she serves on the Professional Development and Education Council among others. She will be retiring soon and she will leave a void in our hearts. “We” all the Nurses and patients that she has touched our hearts wish her well in the next chapter of her life. Please come back and apply for a Per Diem Position Dawn……Farewell!!!