Christine Zuidema
March 2024
Christine
Zuidema
,
RN
Hickory
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Grand Rapids
,
MI
United States
Each time she worked, I felt reassured that I’d be okay and I wasn’t the only one who shared this belief. Christy carried the same demeanor with EVERY patient that entered those same locked doors.
Nomination #1:
You may or may not be aware of the “Code Blue” Friday on Hickory. An AT Student with known seizure disorder had a seizure in our team room. Fortunately, several members of the team were present including Christine Zuidema, RN – and the student thankfully is ok. When I walked into the room, Christy was down on the floor with the distraught student reassuring her that she was alright. She didn’t leave her side and calmly directed other team members as to what the student needed: crash cart from C&A, getting Kara Noseda, Gen Med PA up to speed, and procuring a supportive and peaceful environment for the rest of us distraught souls! Only when the student was out of danger did Christy make her way back to complete her duties in our team meeting.
Nomination #2:
Christy is the consummate professional, an integral part of our exceptional Hickory staff, and went above and beyond in securing this young person’s health and wellbeing. We’re so fortunate to have her here at Pine Rest!” ~ Dr Jack Mahdasian
Nomination #3:
I remember hesitantly walking into Pine Rest Psychiatric hospital – scared, alone, and wanting to die. I was greeted with a beaming smile by a nurse named Christy, who enthusiastically welcomed me as if it were her first day on the job. Little did I know this was her 7th year working on the unit. I felt like someone cared about me as a human being, resulting in a sense of peace and hope, even as I was being locked in a facility for 10 days. Each time she worked, I felt reassured that I’d be okay and I wasn’t the only one who shared this belief. Christy carried the same demeanor with EVERY patient that entered those same locked doors. Having worked in healthcare for years, I recognize that it’s easy to take these unsung heroes for granted. I would overhear other patients discuss how Christy's kindness, enthusiasm, and compassion positively influenced them again and again. Unfortunately, the circumstances of treatment prevent most from recognizing this leader. I inquired about her favorite part about working on this unit and her response was having the opportunity to work with such a diverse crowd of ages, genders, and beliefs. I grew up with an intolerant family, unwilling to even acknowledge those with differences, including their children. Christy accepts each patient for exactly who they are without judgement and for that I am forever grateful. For that, she deserves The DAISY Award. The proof of her consistent compassionate care is with each patient who has signed their name agreeing with these sentiments.
Nomination #4:
The day I came in was one of the worst days of my life. I had been crying for hours and was exhausted. The whole walk back to my unit and room was terrifying and I wondered if I made the right decision to be admitted. As soon as I walked up to the window of the Hickory unit, Christy greeted me by name with a gentle smile. She told me that this unit was for people just like me, I was safe and cared about. She took me around and showed me where everything was and what I could expect for the remainder of the day. Nurses really are angels and Christy was my angel at that day. I can never thank her enough for her kindness.
You may or may not be aware of the “Code Blue” Friday on Hickory. An AT Student with known seizure disorder had a seizure in our team room. Fortunately, several members of the team were present including Christine Zuidema, RN – and the student thankfully is ok. When I walked into the room, Christy was down on the floor with the distraught student reassuring her that she was alright. She didn’t leave her side and calmly directed other team members as to what the student needed: crash cart from C&A, getting Kara Noseda, Gen Med PA up to speed, and procuring a supportive and peaceful environment for the rest of us distraught souls! Only when the student was out of danger did Christy make her way back to complete her duties in our team meeting.
Nomination #2:
Christy is the consummate professional, an integral part of our exceptional Hickory staff, and went above and beyond in securing this young person’s health and wellbeing. We’re so fortunate to have her here at Pine Rest!” ~ Dr Jack Mahdasian
Nomination #3:
I remember hesitantly walking into Pine Rest Psychiatric hospital – scared, alone, and wanting to die. I was greeted with a beaming smile by a nurse named Christy, who enthusiastically welcomed me as if it were her first day on the job. Little did I know this was her 7th year working on the unit. I felt like someone cared about me as a human being, resulting in a sense of peace and hope, even as I was being locked in a facility for 10 days. Each time she worked, I felt reassured that I’d be okay and I wasn’t the only one who shared this belief. Christy carried the same demeanor with EVERY patient that entered those same locked doors. Having worked in healthcare for years, I recognize that it’s easy to take these unsung heroes for granted. I would overhear other patients discuss how Christy's kindness, enthusiasm, and compassion positively influenced them again and again. Unfortunately, the circumstances of treatment prevent most from recognizing this leader. I inquired about her favorite part about working on this unit and her response was having the opportunity to work with such a diverse crowd of ages, genders, and beliefs. I grew up with an intolerant family, unwilling to even acknowledge those with differences, including their children. Christy accepts each patient for exactly who they are without judgement and for that I am forever grateful. For that, she deserves The DAISY Award. The proof of her consistent compassionate care is with each patient who has signed their name agreeing with these sentiments.
Nomination #4:
The day I came in was one of the worst days of my life. I had been crying for hours and was exhausted. The whole walk back to my unit and room was terrifying and I wondered if I made the right decision to be admitted. As soon as I walked up to the window of the Hickory unit, Christy greeted me by name with a gentle smile. She told me that this unit was for people just like me, I was safe and cared about. She took me around and showed me where everything was and what I could expect for the remainder of the day. Nurses really are angels and Christy was my angel at that day. I can never thank her enough for her kindness.