Doris is the Admissions LVN on the Vernon Campus. Among other things, she is responsible for ensuring all clinically related documentation and required tests per policy are received before a patient admits to our hospital. In addition to pre-admission communication with counties and countless follow-up emails/calls, Doris is tasked with Covid PCR and Antigen testing each patient upon admission. Multiple patients will refuse to test with jailers, security, or transport staff, but Doris shows such empathy, and patience that even the most adamant patient will allow her to administer tests. She is the first clinical point of contact for each admitting patient and sets a compassionate tone of care the individuals are to receive while at our hospital. Her role as the Admissions LVN is a trusted nursing professional who effectively communicates and works to establish a credible rapport with our patients.

Recently we had 2 patients who were agitated to the point of potentially requiring a restraint upon transport to the unit. Doris was able to calmly talk with both individuals, get them to focus on her, and eventually they trusted her with their care; avoiding any type of restraint. Although she is not on the unit, Doris serves every patient at NTSH through the admission process. She often times sees patients at their worst and most vulnerable. Her amazing ability to complete her admissions tasks while gaining our patients' trust is both admirable and inspiring.